Mecca: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey signed a landmark joint defence agreement in Mecca, aligning Sunni Muslim US allies in response to increasing regional tensions marked by Iranian aggression on Gulf oil exporters.
According to France24.com, the "Mecca Joint Defence Agreement" aims to bolster collective deterrence against aggression, declaring that an armed attack on any of the three nations would be considered an attack on all. Despite this declaration, the specifics of the commitments made by each country remain undisclosed, leaving questions about the extent of military support they will provide each other.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz emphasized that the agreement is not targeted at any specific nation and remains purely defensive, without nullifying existing agreements with other countries. The pact is a response to the escalating military postures of Israel and revolutionary Shiite Iran, as the US struggles to manage the regional chaos contributing to a global energy crisis.
Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Gulf Research Center, noted the significant political symbolism of this alliance, as it demonstrates a willingness among regional powers to collaborate on security issues. The agreement could enhance the countries' collective diplomatic and defence influence, contributing to a more regionally driven security framework.
Despite this collaboration, Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly clarified on social media that the agreement does not aim to establish a military axis or sectarian bloc, nor is it linked to nuclear ambitions or an arms race.
Historically, Pakistan has provided military training and technical support to Saudi forces, while Turkey and Pakistan have shared military resources, including warships and training aircraft. Saudi Arabia remains a significant buyer of Turkish drones. Moreover, Pakistan has stationed troops and military equipment in Saudi Arabia and is negotiating with Kuwait for security collaboration in exchange for energy partnerships.
The agreement follows years of regional turmoil, especially since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which triggered widespread conflict. While Turkey and Pakistan have largely avoided direct attacks, they are keen to stabilize regional conflicts that could threaten their security and economies.
Burcu Ozcelik from RUSI explained that the pact aims to counterbalance Iranian influence and build deterrence against Israel, rather than escalate confrontations with Tehran. Meanwhile, international responses vary, with Israel declining to comment and India closely monitoring the developments.
