Pakistan has warned that its newly signed defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye could become operational if Houthi attacks on the kingdom continue or the conflict in Yemen spills further into Saudi territory.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Islamabad was bound by the terms of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and would honour its commitments if Saudi Arabia faced aggression. His remarks came after a major Houthi missile and drone assault on southern Saudi Arabia left 73 people injured and targeted energy and military infrastructure.

Pakistan Signals Collective Defence Response

Speaking to Pakistani media, Asif said there should be no ambiguity about Pakistan's obligations under the agreement.

He said that unprovoked aggression against a member state, or a spillover of the Yemen conflict into Saudi Arabia, could make the pact operational. Pakistan's defence minister also stressed that Islamabad would act according to the agreement's terms if such a situation arose.

The warning marks a significant development because the three-country defence agreement was signed only last month and is now being tested by an escalating regional conflict.

Makkah Agreement Treats Attack on One as Attack on All

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, committing to strengthen collective deterrence and defence cooperation.

According to Pakistan's official account of the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries is to be regarded as an attack against all three. The pact also calls for enhanced cooperation across defence-related areas.

The exact military mechanisms for implementing the agreement, however, have not been publicly detailed.

Houthi Attacks Hit Saudi Energy and Military Sites

The warning from Islamabad followed a coordinated Houthi attack on September 8 that targeted several locations in southern Saudi Arabia.

The Iran-aligned Yemeni group attacked areas including Abha, Khamis Mushait, Najran and Jazan. Saudi authorities said 73 people were injured, while fires and operational disruptions were reported at energy facilities. Targets included installations associated with Saudi oil giant Aramco and an air base.

The attacks represent one of the most serious recent escalations between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, after years of relative calm following the UN-backed truce that reduced large-scale fighting in Yemen in 2022.

Pakistan Condemns Houthi Strikes

Islamabad has already publicly condemned the attacks.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry described the strikes on civilian and economic targets in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran as a violation of Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It also reiterated Pakistan's support for Saudi Arabia's right under international law to defend its territory, citizens and national assets.

However, Pakistan's position also reflects an effort to avoid being drawn unnecessarily into a wider regional conflict. Reuters reported that Islamabad has warned Iran to rein in the Houthis while emphasising that Pakistan's role under the defence arrangement is focused on protecting Saudi territory.

Yemen Conflict Raises Wider Regional Risks

The renewed fighting is unfolding against the backdrop of a much broader Middle East crisis involving Iran, the United States and other regional actors.

The Houthis have also threatened Saudi shipping and increased pressure around the Red Sea, while the Bab al-Mandeb Strait remains a strategically important route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

Any sustained disruption could have consequences beyond Yemen and Saudi Arabia, particularly for energy markets and international shipping. Recent Houthi attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure have already contributed to concerns over regional oil supplies.

What Happens Next?

For now, Pakistan has not announced that it is deploying forces to Saudi Arabia. Asif's comments amount to a warning that the collective-defence provisions could be activated if the conflict crosses the threshold outlined by the agreement.

That distinction is important. The Makkah pact creates a framework for collective security, but the circumstances and operational steps that would follow an attack have not been publicly set out in detail.

With Houthi attacks and Saudi military responses escalating, the immediate concern is whether the conflict remains contained within the existing Yemen-Saudi confrontation or develops into a wider regional military crisis involving Pakistan and Türkiye.

The latest attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea have once again drawn international attention to the group’s growing military capabilities. Reports of missile and drone strikes on commercial vessels have heightened concerns over maritime security in one of the world's most important trade corridors, where billions of dollars worth of goods pass every year.

According to reports, the Houthis recently claimed responsibility for attacks on two Saudi oil tankers, identified as Encelia and Layla, near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Saudi authorities confirmed that Encelia sustained damage and caught fire after being struck. The incidents have forced several shipping companies to reconsider routes through the Red Sea, increasing concerns about global energy supplies and trade flows.

The attacks come at a time when tensions are already affecting navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, creating fears that two of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints could face simultaneous disruptions.

Red Sea Under Pressure

Stretching between northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, the Red Sea serves as a major gateway connecting Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Thousands of vessels carrying crude oil, liquefied natural gas and manufactured goods transit through the region annually.

The Houthis control large parts of Yemen’s western coastline overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, giving them a strategic position from which they can target commercial and military vessels.

Following the latest attacks, maritime tracking data showed that several oil tankers altered their routes to avoid the increasingly contested waterway. Some vessels carrying Saudi crude reportedly reversed course instead of continuing toward the strait.

Security analysts warn that prolonged disruptions could increase shipping costs, delay cargo deliveries and affect global energy markets.

Missiles Form Core Capability

Military experts describe the Houthis as the first non-state armed group to operationally deploy anti-ship ballistic missiles during active conflicts.

Among the most significant weapons in their inventory are the Asef and Tankil missiles, which are believed to have ranges of up to 500 kilometres. These systems reportedly draw heavily from Iranian missile technology and can strike targets across large portions of the Red Sea.

The group also operates shorter-range systems such as the Faleq, Mayun and Bahr al-Ahmar missiles. While these missiles have lower ranges, they remain effective against vessels travelling close to Yemen’s coastline.

Unlike conventional cruise missiles, ballistic missiles travel high into the atmosphere before descending toward their targets at extreme speeds, making interception difficult and forcing naval forces to use expensive defensive systems.

Growing Drone Fleet

Drones have become one of the Houthis’ most important military assets. Over the past decade, the group has developed a diverse inventory of unmanned aerial vehicles capable of reconnaissance and long-range strike missions.

Among the most notable are the Wa’id-1 and Wa’id-2 drones, believed to be local versions of Iran’s Shahed-series loitering munitions. These drones reportedly have operational ranges exceeding 1,500 kilometres.

The movement also fields the Sammad family of drones, which have been used in attacks against regional targets. Another important platform is the Qasef series, designed for shorter-range operations and precision strikes.

Experts say drones allow the Houthis to launch relatively low-cost attacks while forcing opponents to spend significantly more on interception and air defence.

Explosive Boats and Mines

Beyond missiles and drones, the Houthis have developed unmanned explosive boats designed to attack ships at sea level.

The Tofan series of drone boats can reportedly carry hundreds of kilograms of explosives and travel at high speeds toward target vessels. These systems are intended to strike vulnerable sections of ships, including engine compartments and waterline areas.

The group is also believed to possess naval mines capable of damaging or sinking vessels. Some mines detonate upon contact, while others activate through acoustic or magnetic signatures generated by passing ships.

Security agencies consider these systems particularly dangerous because they can remain hidden and threaten commercial traffic long after deployment.

Surveillance Network Supports Operations

Accurate targeting requires continuous tracking of maritime traffic. To support its operations, the Houthis have reportedly developed an extensive intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance network.

This system uses commercial shipping data, coastal radar installations, observation posts and reconnaissance drones to monitor vessel movements across the Red Sea.

Analysts believe these capabilities allow the group to identify potential targets and update strike plans in near real time.

Iran Links and Local Production

According to military assessments, the Houthis maintain their arsenal through a combination of external support and domestic manufacturing.

Experts say Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force provides technical assistance, components and specialised equipment. Rather than shipping complete missile systems, modular parts are believed to be transported and later assembled inside Yemen.

Over the years, the Houthis have also developed underground production facilities in areas under their control. These sites reportedly assemble missiles and drones while modifying imported designs to suit local manufacturing capabilities.

The result is a military force that has evolved far beyond a traditional insurgent movement. With advanced missiles, drones, explosive boats and surveillance systems, the Houthis now possess capabilities that rival those of some state militaries, making them a growing challenge for regional security and global shipping.

Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb: Next Flashpoint for India’s 95% Sea Trade

Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb turns volatile amid West Asia war, threatening India’s sea trade lifeline after Hormuz closure.

Security sources warn that Iran-backed Houthi rebels could target the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb, sealing a second vital chokepoint. This follows the Strait of Hormuz blockade in the escalating West Asia conflict. India, reliant on sea routes for 95% of its trade, braces for massive disruptions to exports and energy supplies.

Chokepoint Overview

The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Spanning 100 km long and 29 km at its narrowest, it divides Yemen from Djibouti and Eritrea. Ships squeeze through controlled channels, exposing them to attacks.

Around 10-12% of global maritime trade and 9% of seaborne oil pass here daily. It serves as the southern gateway to the Suez Canal.

Current Tensions Rise

Houthi forces, controlling Yemen's Red Sea coast, have hit over 100 commercial vessels since late 2023 with drones and missiles. Iranian media hinted at Red Sea strikes if the US invades, per Reuters reports.

With Hormuz already shut, sources indicate Tehran may activate proxies to choke Bab-el-Mandeb. This dual blockade risks 30% of world oil flows.

Historical Disruptions

The 'Gate of Tears' has faced blockades before. Houthi actions slashed Suez traffic from 26,000 ships in 2023 to 12,700 by 2025, as per shipping data. Earlier crises in Yemen forced reroutes around Africa.

India felt the pinch then, with delays hitting perishable exports.

India’s Trade Exposure

Nearly 95% of India’s trade volume sails through seas, sources say. The Red Sea route handles 50% of exports and 30% of imports to Europe and North Africa, Crisil Ratings noted for 2022-23.

A Bab-el-Mandeb closure would compound Hormuz woes, spiking freight costs and oil prices.

Official Reactions

Shipping Ministry officials urged vigilance. "We monitor Red Sea risks closely," a senior officer told reporters. Navy patrols have escorted vessels, but escalation demands more.

Global powers, including the US, vow to secure the strait.

Economic Fallout

Rerouting via Cape of Good Hope adds 12-15 days and surges fuel costs by 40%. Perishables like fruits rot; factories idle without parts. Oil at $100+ per barrel could fuel India’s inflation.

Markets already jittery post-Hormuz news.

Path Ahead

India pushes diversified routes and strategic reserves. Diplomatic talks aim to de-escalate. Yet, if Houthis strike, this latest India news update signals prolonged trade headaches in this public interest story.