Saudi Arabia Faces Houthi Attack Days After Defense Pact with Pakistan and Turkey

Just two days after Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey signed a defense alliance, Saudi Arabia came under attack by the Houthi rebels. Early Sunday morning, a fire broke out at an Aramco oil facility in Jizan, southern Saudi Arabia, following a drone strike claimed by the Houthis from Yemen. The new pact between the three Sunni-majority countries states that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all, putting the alliance to its first real test.

The agreement, signed last Friday, also envisions the possible future inclusion of other countries such as Egypt, as indicated by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. The pact is seen as a counterbalance to Iranian influence in the region. Meanwhile, ongoing fighting continues inside Yemen between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces, though these battles have not directly tested the pact.

In addition to the southern threat from the Houthis, Saudi Arabia faces tensions from Shiite militias in Iraq, which have engaged in recent confrontations involving missile attacks on Saudi territory. These militias coordinate with the Houthis under Iranian patronage, aiming to pressure Saudi Arabia from multiple fronts. A senior Saudi official warned of a potential combined attack from the south and north, though the militias have temporarily postponed planned operations.

The new defense alliance, involving a nuclear-armed Pakistan and a strategically important Turkey, marks a significant shift in regional security dynamics. The pact's durability will depend on whether Pakistan and Turkey will actively support Saudi Arabia amid these escalating threats. The situation remains fluid as the alliance confronts its first major challenge shortly after formation.