Riyadh (TDI): Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reaffirmed that the Kingdom will respond decisively to any threat or attack against its territory, while stressing that Riyadh remains committed to diplomacy and efforts to prevent further regional escalation.
Addressing the Shura Council on Wednesday, the Crown Prince said recent attacks against Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states had demonstrated that the security and stability of Gulf countries were closely interconnected, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
He said Saudi Arabia would continue strengthening strategic cooperation and economic integration with other Gulf states while maintaining a focus on protecting regional security and stability.
Prince Mohammed also highlighted the role of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, saying the framework would contribute to regional security and help coordinate responses to shared challenges.
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The agreement, signed in Makkah in August, provides for collective defense, with the three countries agreeing that an armed attack against one signatory would be treated as an attack against all. Reuters reported that military chiefs from the three countries subsequently met in Riyadh to discuss closer intelligence sharing, military coordination and capability integration.
The Crown Prince’s remarks come amid heightened security concerns in the region, including attacks claimed by or attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement. Saudi Arabia has reported intercepting missiles launched toward areas including Taif and Yanbu, while the GCC has condemned further reported attacks targeting Riyadh and other Saudi locations.
On Yemen, Prince Mohammed said Saudi Arabia would continue supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government in extending its authority and restoring stability. He accused the Houthis of pursuing what he described as “chaos and destruction” and of posing a threat to Yemen and the wider region.
The Crown Prince also rejected the use of international waterways as instruments of political or economic pressure. He said Saudi Arabia had established a multinational maritime defense alliance aimed at strengthening maritime security and protecting shared interests in international waters.
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Saudi Arabia has simultaneously emphasized diplomacy as a means of reducing regional tensions. Riyadh and other Gulf states have repeatedly called for dialogue and negotiations alongside measures to protect their territory, maritime routes and critical infrastructure.
Prince Mohammed praised the Saudi armed forces for their role in responding to security threats and reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to reducing escalation and supporting diplomatic initiatives.
The Makkah agreement has emerged as one of several regional security arrangements being discussed amid wider instability across the Middle East. Turkish officials have said the pact is defensive and is not directed against a specific country, while also indicating that its framework could potentially be expanded to include other states.
For Saudi Arabia, the agreement provides an additional framework for defense coordination with Pakistan and Turkiye at a time when threats to Saudi territory, energy infrastructure and maritime routes have become a central regional security concern.
