Saudi crown prince vows firm response to Houthi attacks

October 1, 2026 at 12:20 AM2 min

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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the kingdom will not hesitate to respond firmly to any threat, in a speech to the Shura Council on Wednesday. He cited the trilateral Mecca Joint Defence Agreement with Turkey and Pakistan as a sign of intent to strengthen regional stability. The remarks come as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have intensified in recent weeks.

Key Facts

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the kingdom will not hesitate to respond firmly to any threat or attack aimed at undermining its security.
The crown prince pointed to the trilateral Mecca Joint Defence Agreement with Turkey and Pakistan, formalised in August, as showing intent to strengthen regional stability.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted six ballistic missiles aimed at Taif and the Yanbu port area last week.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said Islamabad will make whatever means available to Saudi Arabia under the mutual defence pact if Houthi attacks continue.

Security Pledge

In a speech delivered Wednesday on behalf of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during the opening of the third year of the ninth session of Saudi Arabia's Shura Council, Prince Mohammed said the country will not hesitate to respond firmly to any threat or attack aimed at undermining its security. He said the Houthi armed group chose chaos and destruction, threatening the Yemeni people and the region. The crown prince also said Saudi Arabia is making every possible effort to de-escalate tensions and support diplomatic solutions without the slightest compromise on preserving its security.

Regional Defence Alliance

Prince Mohammed pointed to the trilateral Mecca Joint Defence Agreement with Turkey and Pakistan that was formalised in August. He said the alliance shows the Saudi leadership's intent to strengthen regional stability, shield it from the repercussions of tensions and conflicts and coordinate efforts. On Tuesday, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said Islamabad will make whatever means available to Saudi Arabia under the mutual defence pact if the Houthi attacks on the kingdom continue.

Red Sea Maritime Coalition

MBS addressed the targeting of vessels by the Houthis in the Red Sea along the Bab al-Mandeb strait, rejecting the use of international waterways as a tool for political or economic pressure. He said a multinational defensive maritime coalition was set up to ensure common interests are protected in international waterways. Last week, Riyadh said it intercepted six ballistic missiles aimed at Taif in western Saudi Arabia and the Yanbu port area on the Red Sea. The Houthis also said they attacked a sensitive target in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu.