The Mecca agreement, established in August, mandates that an attack on any single signatory state is treated as an aggression against all members. Riyadh has actively pursued regional and international security support to shield critical infrastructure from persistent strikes launched by Yemen's Houthis. Drone and missile attacks have disrupted travel by shutting Riyadh’s international airport for two weeks and targeted holy regions. Consequently, Western partners have also stepped forward, with France sending troops to defend an oil terminal and Britain deploying fighter jets.
Key points
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani revealed at the Manama Dialogue that Damascus i…: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani revealed at the Manama Dialogue that Damascus is currently evaluating membership in the pact.
The Saudi-led coalition claimed interceptions of Houthi drones over Mecca and Medina, tho…: The Saudi-led coalition claimed interceptions of Houthi drones over Mecca and Medina, though the group denied responsibility for the attacks.
Britain committed in October to dispatching fighter jets to help Saudi Arabia counter ong…: Britain committed in October to dispatching fighter jets to help Saudi Arabia counter ongoing aerial threats from regional adversaries.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Syria is considering whether to join the Mecca defence pact, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said on Saturday.
“Discussions are currently underway to evaluate Syria’s entry into the Mecca alliance,” Shaibani told the Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain.
Under the pact, signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan in Mecca in August, an attack on one member is considered an attack on all three.
Saudi Arabia has come under heavy fire from Yemen’s Houthis and has been rallying support against the group’s escalating attacks, including a major strike that shut Riyadh’s international airport for two weeks this month.
On Friday, the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said it had intercepted Houthi drones over the Mecca and Medina regions. The group denied carrying out the attacks.
Earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron made a surprise visit to Riyadh and said France had sent troops to help protect a key Saudi oil terminal from Houthi attacks.
Britain also announced in October that it would deploy fighter jets to help the kingdom counter the attacks.
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