Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia could trigger Makkah defence pact, warns Pakistan

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that Houthi attacks on Saudi territory would invoke the Makkah Defence Alliance, a tripartite defence agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.

"Under the trilateral agreement, any aggression against any of the three [countries] is regarded as an aggression against all. There is no ambiguity about that," he said while speaking on Geo News' programme "Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath" on Tuesday.

At least 71 people were injured on Tuesday after Houthis launched an attack on several cities in Saudi Arabia, further undermining stability in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks, terming them a "cowardly" act that endangered innocent lives and threatened regional peace and security.