Middle East Trio Signs Collective Defense Pact Amid Regional Tensions

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed a trilateral defense agreement in Mecca, aimed at strengthening military cooperation and collective deterrence amid growing regional security challenges. The pact was announced by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry on Friday.

The agreement states that any armed attack against one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all, establishing a framework for collective defense. This means that if any of the signatory nations is attacked, the others will consider it an attack on their own territory.

The deal comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to diversify its defense partnerships following attacks on its critical infrastructure and oil facilities during the conflict involving Iran. It also follows a bilateral mutual defense pact signed by Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in September, under which an attack on either country is considered an attack on both.