Middle East Allies Unite: Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan Sign Trilateral Defence Pact
A trilateral defence agreement has been signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan in Mecca, solidifying their collective commitment to mutual defence against external threats.
The 'Mecca Joint Defence Agreement' aims to strengthen deterrence against any act of aggression, with the three nations regarding an attack on one as an attack on all. The agreement follows nearly a year of negotiations and is seen as a response to the escalating regional turmoil.
Turkey has NATO's second-largest military, Saudi Arabia hosts Islam's holiest sites and is a major oil exporter, while Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed Muslim country. Both Pakistan and Turkey have voiced support for a maritime defence coalition announced by Saudi Arabia to protect regional shipping and energy routes.