THE leadership of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye seems determined to operationalize the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA). They have taken a few practical steps to formulate a structure and institutionalize the Alliance’s functioning. However, its operational status remains unclear, with details on how they will operationalize it still classified or not yet formalized.

The escalation in conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis has necessitated that the members of the MJDA fast-track efforts to constitute its posture and operationalize it. Currently, the Houthis have declared a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabia, attacked ships in the Red Sea and also carried out attacks in Saudi Arabia.

The Trump administration has refused to assist Riyadh and Iranian leadership has expressed an inability to control the Houthis, known as Iran’s proxy in the region. As a result, the operational status will determine MJDA’s role in the Middle East’s evolving security architecture. Therefore, the Alliance’s fate hinges on the decisions it makes against the Houthis to defend Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and........

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