Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) National President Morton A. Klein released the following statement:
On August 7, 2026, the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed a “Mecca Joint Defense Agreement” aimed at solidifying their military ties and stipulating that an attack on one of these nations would be considered an attack on all – similar to NATO Article 5. In addition, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have had a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) since September 2025 that likewise stipulates that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.” Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also have a long history of military interaction, including Saudi Arabia’s financial support for Pakistan’s development, commencing in the 1970s, of the “Sunni nuclear bomb.”
Despite the recent mutual defense agreements, neither Turkey nor Pakistan have engaged in combat operations to defend Saudi Arabia against hundreds of Iranian and Iranian proxy attacks launched across Saudi Arabia. EU and Iraqi sources stated that there is no definitive plan of retaliation to the Houthis’ startling recent attacks, as of yet. Business Insider similarly reported on September 15 that despite the Mecca pact, neither Turkey nor Pakistan has committed direct military support for Saudi Arabia during the current crisis. Action seems to be limited to senior military figures meeting to work on a broad plan of action, if it should become necessary, to be launched exclusively from Saudi Arabia, with no Pakistani boots on the ground.
Meanwhile, Israel has reportedly offered intelligence assistance to help Saudi Arabia defend itself from the Houthis.
All this raises the questions: Does the lack of Turkish or Pakistani operations in response to the attacks on Saudi Arabia evidence that the real, or main purpose of the Mecca Agreement is to target Israel? Will the Saudis realize that Israel would be a more reliable ally?
The attacks on Saudi Arabia have been extensive, aggressive, and the type that it seems would render a NATO-style defense pact operative:
On September 8, Iranian-backed Houthis and Iraqi militias fired multiple explosive-laden drones at multiple Saudi cities and Saudi Arabia’s vital 750-mile-long East-West pipeline – injuring more than 70 people including women and children, extensively damaging the pipeline and pumping-station, and causing closure of this vital outlet. The pipeline had a capacity of up to 7 million barrels of oil per day, had enabled Saudi Arabian oil to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, and carried 4% of the world’s oil supply prior to its shutdown. The shutting of the pipeline dramatically increased oil prices.
On September 14, Houthi missile and drone attacks on civilian areas of three Saudi cities injured thirteen civilians, and damaged seven houses and two vehicles, according to the Saudi-led Arab Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen.
On September 15, the Houthis launched a drone at Mecca a.k.a Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The Saudis intercepted the drone. Mecca is the world’s holiest city to Muslims, the site of the Muslim Hajj (pilgrimage), the city that Muslims face while praying, and believed to be Muhammad’s birthplace. Only Muslims are permitted to enter Mecca. Mecca (and Saudi Arabia) were part of the Ottoman Empire for most of 400 years (1517 to 1916).
On September 16, the Houthis claim to have fired dozens of cruise missiles and drones in attacks on an airbase in Khamis Mushait, in southwest Saudi Arabia, and on Saudi-Aramco facilities in Yanbu, a major Saudi port on the Red Sea.
The Houthis lightning seizures during the past week of Red Sea ports including Mokha and strategic Islands including the Hanish Islands and Mayun island a.k.a Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Houthi’s statement that Saudi ships will not be allowed through the Strait, also severely harm Saudi Arabia’s shipping, economy and security.
On September 16, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Saudi Arabia increased its Saudi travel advisory to “reconsider travel” and “do not travel to the Yemen border.” The U.S. advisory warned about Iranian missile and drone attacks, and warned that Iranian-backed Houthi attacks were targeting cities, infrastructure, airports, military bases, diplomatic facilities and energy facilities throughout Saudi Arabia.