Pakistan Faces Strategic Questions as Houthis Advance Near Bab al-Mandab
The recent advance of Houthi forces in Yemen has raised new questions about the regional security implications of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
The agreement was signed in Makkah on August 7, 2026, with the three countries agreeing to strengthen defence cooperation and collective deterrence. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has described the accord as defensive in nature and said that an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be regarded as an attack against all three.
The latest developments around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, meanwhile, have added a new dimension to the regional security situation.
Houthi Advance Raises Maritime Security Concerns
Houthi forces have recently expanded their control along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including the strategically located Perim Island, according to Reuters and other international reports.
Perim, also known as Mayun, sits in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key maritime passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. Its location makes it strategically important for international shipping and energy transportation.
The development has raised concerns about the security of vessels using the waterway, particularly as the region is already experiencing disruptions to other major shipping and energy routes.
Why Bab al-Mandab Matters
The Bab al-Mandab Strait is an important link between the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Ships traveling between Asia and Europe can use the route to reach the Suez Canal and avoid much longer journeys around Africa.
Any prolonged disruption could therefore affect international trade, shipping costs, insurance premiums and energy markets.
Recent reports indicate that vessel traffic through the strait has already fallen amid the latest security developments.
For Saudi Arabia, the waterway also has particular importance because the Red Sea provides an alternative route for some of the Kingdom’s oil exports.
What Does the Makkah Defence Agreement Say?
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement provides a framework for closer defence cooperation between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the agreement is designed to strengthen collective deterrence and provides that an external armed attack against one of the three members would be considered an attack against all.
Pakistan has also stressed that the agreement is defensive in nature and is not directed against any particular country.
However, the agreement does not publicly specify that every hostile action or maritime incident would automatically result in military intervention by the other members.
Could a Maritime Attack Trigger the Pact?
Whether a particular incident would fall under the agreement would depend on the circumstances and the nature of the attack.
For example, an attack involving missiles or drones against Saudi vessels, the seizure of Saudi commercial ships, or the use of force to prevent Saudi vessels from navigating could raise questions about whether such actions amount to an armed attack.
The agreement itself would need to be interpreted alongside international law and the specific circumstances of any incident.
At present, there has been no announcement that Pakistan is preparing military action in response to the Houthi advance.
What Could Pakistan’s Response Involve?
If the regional situation were to deteriorate further, Pakistan could potentially face discussions over the form of assistance it might provide under its defence commitments.
Depending on the circumstances, cooperation could involve intelligence sharing, surveillance, maritime security, logistics, air-defence support or other forms of defence coordination.
The exact response would depend on the nature and scale of any attack as well as decisions by the governments involved.
Pakistan’s Relations With Saudi Arabia and Iran
The situation presents a complex diplomatic environment for Islamabad.
Pakistan maintains close political, economic and defence ties with Saudi Arabia while also sharing a border with Iran and maintaining diplomatic relations with Tehran.
Any major military involvement in Yemen could therefore have wider regional implications for Pakistan.
Islamabad has traditionally emphasized dialogue, regional stability and peaceful resolution of disputes, making diplomacy an important part of its approach to regional security issues.
Impact on Pakistan’s Maritime Interests
Pakistan also has a direct economic interest in maintaining secure international shipping routes.
Trade between Pakistan and markets in the Middle East, Europe and other regions relies heavily on maritime transportation. Prolonged disruption around Bab al-Mandab could increase shipping distances, freight charges, insurance costs and energy-related expenses.
The recent Houthi advance has already contributed to broader concerns about global energy supplies and shipping routes, particularly as other major maritime corridors face disruption.
A New Test for Regional Security Cooperation
The developments around Bab al-Mandab have brought the practical implications of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement into sharper focus.
For Pakistan, the challenge would involve balancing its defence commitments with Saudi Arabia, its economic and maritime interests, relations with neighbouring Iran, and its stated policy of supporting regional stability.
Whether the Makkah Agreement becomes directly relevant to the Yemen conflict will depend on how the situation develops and whether any actions against a member state meet the agreement’s conditions for collective defence.
For now, the Houthi advance has created a significant new security issue for the region and added another layer to the strategic calculations facing Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
