Will Pakistan enter the Iran war, albeit indirectly? The Macca Defence alliance with Saudi Arabia and Turkey might compel the South Asian nation to do so. Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif indicated as much, saying that all three signatories to the defence pact would respond if there is any aggression against one.

The context is recent attacks on Saudi Arabia by Houthi forces, which is a group supported by, and helping, Iran to stand up to the US-Israel attacks.

Pakistan condemned the attacks, with its Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirming Islamabad’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security.

Speaking to local media, Pakistani defence minister Asif warned that the Houthis' attacks on Saudi Arabia could activate the Mecca Defence Alliance. "If there is any aggression against one member state, all three member states will respond,” he said.

The three countries are bound by the terms of their joint defence agreement, said Asif, while speaking on the show Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath.

The pact's core principle is collective defence, akin to NATO. If one member faces aggression, the other two are expected to respond under the pact’s terms, agreed upon by the three nations in August.

Asif, however, said he had no information about any communication between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia over the latest attacks.

Source: wionews