Pakistan and Turkey have finally decided to put boots on the ground in Saudi Arabia to join a fight against the escalating Houthi attacks as part of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement.

The decision was taken after the three countries held an emergency meeting in Riyadh on Monday. The meeting was attended by Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

The Kingdom released a joint statement stating that the countries agreed "to move immediately to the practical implementation of the collective defence commitments and to take the necessary measures to provide the agreed military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment in the Kingdom".

Notably, the trilateral defence agreement was signed in August and was questioned after Houthis launched an attack on Mecca, the holy city where the agreement was first inked and named after.

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The joint statement read, "The Committee decided on the immediate transition to the practical implementation of collective defence commitments, and the taking of necessary measures to provide the agreed-upon forces and military capabilities and to swiftly deploy them in the Kingdom, in accordance with the approved arrangements and the national legislation of the member states, in a manner that enhances readiness, military integration, and the collective capacity to confront threats and counter them."

Scale of deployment, role unclear

However, the statement didn't categorically specify the scale of deployment, their role and area of operations. The Houthi threat has worsened the energy crisis by creating insecurity in Bab el-Mandeb, a crucial waterway that has become more critical in the wake of the Strait of Hormuz closure.

Meanwhile, the Saudi-backed Yemeni government has moved to rein in the Houthis by freeing Bab al-Mandeb. On Monday, the Yemeni forces made fresh territorial gains in the strategically vital strait even as Houthi attacks continued.

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The Houthi rebels on Monday launched a fresh barrage of missiles and drones on key Saudi facilities, including airports, Aramco refinery and a military base.

Amid an escalating spiral of attacks, the activation of Mecca pact could mark a new chapter of escalation in the Red Sea.