Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkiye on Friday signed a joint defence agreement in Mecca, the holiest site in Islam, to bolster security cooperation in the face of heightened military tensions and conflicts across the Middle East.
Mecca Joint Defence Agreement: Key Provisions
The agreement, formally identified as the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, is designed to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression. It stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three signatories shall be regarded as an attack against all, according to a joint statement released by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Saudi state media.
The pact was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The statement read: "The agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, and stipulates that any armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all. It further provides for the enhancement of all aspects of defence cooperation among the three States."
Regional Context: Middle East War and Its Impact
The signing comes amid the ongoing Middle East war between the US and Iran, which has significantly impacted Gulf states. These nations have been primary targets of Iranian retaliatory strikes since the conflict began in February. Earlier in the year, Saudi Arabia's critical infrastructure and oil facilities were attacked, as reported by Premium Times.
A new front of the war opened in July between Riyadh and Yemen's Houthi rebel group. Premium Times reported that Saudi Arabia's national oil company shut down its Jazan oil refinery after a Houthi missile attack damaged key facilities last week. In response to the months-long war that continues to threaten its economy, Saudi Arabia has been actively seeking to diversify its defence partnerships.
Motivations and Reactions
While Turkiye and Pakistan have not been subjected to direct attacks, both nations are eager to calm regional conflicts that threaten their security and economies. Saudi Arabia's deputy minister for public diplomacy, Rayed Krimly, clarified that the pact is not a threat to any country in the region. He stated that it is "not linked to nuclear ambitions or an arms race, but rather to building sustainable, self-reliant capabilities."
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed that the joint pact serves "the interests of our homelands and enhances the security and stability of our region." However, Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei warned that a paper agreement would not suffice. He wrote on X: "Saudis must know that a paper agreement with Turkey and Pakistan will not bring them security, just as years of one-sided nursing to the Americans did not bring them security."
Looking Ahead
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement marks a significant step in defence cooperation among the three Sunni Muslim-majority states. As the Middle East remains volatile, the pact aims to provide a framework for collective security, though its effectiveness will be tested in the face of ongoing conflicts and regional rivalries.
