Pakistan Defense Minister Urges Implementation of Mecca Agreement Amid Houthi Escalation

RIYADH — Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif called on Wednesday for the immediate implementation of the Mecca Agreement, citing a sharp increase in retaliatory attacks by Houthi forces against Saudi Arabia as a critical catalyst for renewed diplomatic action.

Speaking at a trilateral security forum involving officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey, Asif emphasized that the current security environment in the Red Sea region necessitates a swift return to the terms outlined in the 2023 deal brokered in Mecca. The agreement, originally designed to facilitate peace talks between the Yemeni government and the Houthi movement, had stalled following months of intermittent ceasefire violations.

The minister's statement came as Saudi Arabia reported a surge in missile and drone strikes attributed to the Houthis over the past week. These attacks have targeted infrastructure in the eastern provinces of the Kingdom, raising concerns among regional allies about the stability of maritime trade routes and the potential for broader conflict involving Iran-backed militias.

"The time for deliberation has passed," Asif stated during the session. "The recent escalation demonstrates that the Mecca Agreement is not merely a diplomatic document but an urgent operational necessity to prevent further bloodshed and economic disruption across the Arabian Peninsula."

Representatives from Turkey, a key mediator in previous Yemeni peace efforts, echoed the sentiment, noting that the trilateral partnership between Ankara, Islamabad, and Riyadh offers a unique framework to enforce compliance. Turkish officials suggested that joint monitoring mechanisms could be deployed to verify ceasefire terms if all parties agree to restart negotiations immediately.

However, the path to implementation remains uncertain. The Houthi leadership has not yet issued a formal response to the renewed push for the agreement's activation. Previous attempts to revive the deal have been derailed by disagreements over the withdrawal of foreign troops and the release of prisoners held by both sides. Hardline factions within the Houthi movement have previously indicated that any resumption of talks would require significant concessions from the Saudi-led coalition, including a complete end to sanctions on Yemen.

Saudi officials have maintained that they are open to dialogue but insist that security guarantees must be met before any formal negotiations can proceed. The Kingdom has recently bolstered its air defense systems and coordinated more closely with international naval forces patrolling the Red Sea in response to the attacks.

As the trilateral meeting concluded, diplomats from the three nations agreed to establish a working group to draft a proposal for immediate engagement. The success of this initiative depends on whether the Houthi movement will accept the terms under current pressure or if the cycle of retaliation continues to escalate. Regional observers are now waiting to see if the renewed diplomatic momentum can translate into tangible de-escalation on the ground before further military strikes occur.