Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey Unite Against Regional Threats

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey on August 7, 2026. This pact commits the three countries to collective defence against attacks on any one of them. The agreement is seen as a response to growing instability in the Middle East, with several nations exploring new ways to enhance their security without relying on Western powers.

The alliance brings together two countries with large militaries and well-developed industries producing military equipment, Turkey and Pakistan, along with Saudi Arabia's oil wealth. Analysts view this pact as an effort by Saudi Arabia to build a maritime coalition to deter attacks on the Red Sea.

Pakistan's Defence Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, had earlier met with Saudi Arabia's defence minister to discuss the possibility of Iran attacking the kingdom and warned Tehran that it was bound by the pact with Riyadh to come to its assistance in case of any attack. This warning contained the geographic ambitions of Iran.

The Makkah alliance is seen as a significant development, with some analysts predicting that it could reshape the strategic layout of the Middle East. The pact's implementation could include joint defence industry projects and counterterrorism operations, according to Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.