US Congressman Joe Wilson has said the Makkah Defense Alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey has the potential to become the “NATO of the Middle East,” welcoming its activation amid Houthi attacks on the Kingdom.
“The Makkah Defense Alliance has the potential to be the NATO of the Middle East,” Wilson stated. He also thanked the three countries for activating the alliance against what he described as “Houthi Iranian-backed aggression.”
The Mecca Defense Alliance has the potential to be the NATO of the Middle East. I am grateful to our allies Türkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia for activating the alliance in the face of Houthi Iranian-backed aggression.
— Joe Wilson (@RepJoeWilson) October 5, 2026
His remarks followed an emergency meeting in Riyadh, where alliance members agreed to rapidly deploy military forces and capabilities inside Saudi Arabia.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the Strategic Political and Defense Committee approved immediate steps to implement collective defense commitments. Deployments will follow agreed arrangements and each member’s national laws.
The three countries condemned attempted attacks on Makkah and Madinah, along with strikes against Saudi cities, civilian facilities, and economic infrastructure.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistani and Turkish forces had a presence in the operational area but were playing a supporting role, while Saudi troops were engaged in combat.
The committee also appointed retired Pakistani Lt. Gen. Nauman Mahmood as its first secretary-general for three years.
Signed on August 7, the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement commits members to treating an attack against one as an attack against all three.
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