Mecca defence pact takes shape

Saudi, Turkey and Pakistan formalise joint defence partnership

TDT | agencies

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Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the “Mecca Joint Defence Agreement” yesterday, pledging to strengthen collective security and treat an attack on one member as an attack on all.

The agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

In a joint statement, the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing regional security and promoting peace and stability beyond the region. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the pact was intended to strengthen collective deterrence.

The agreement comes as Saudi Arabia deepens ties with Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan amid the ongoing regional conflict, with the three countries advocating mediation and a negotiated settlement.

Umar Karim, an expert on Saudi foreign policy at the University of Birmingham, described the agreement as a “highly significant development”, saying it was “clearly oriented towards Iran” and aimed at addressing what he described as Tehran’s growing strategic ambitions in the Gulf.

He said Turkey and Pakistan’s shared borders with Iran could give both countries “a different kind of leverage” over Tehran.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Mecca yesterday, the Turkish presidency said on X. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir also travelled to the Kingdom for the signing.