Regional Giants Unite Against Shared Threats
A landmark joint defence agreement is set to be signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan on Friday, marking a significant step in deepening military cooperation among three influential Muslim powers.
The agreement comes at a time of heightened instability across the Middle East, following the conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The dispute has disrupted critical energy supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime trade routes for crude oil and liquefied natural gas.
The three countries have significant strategic weight in the partnership. Turkey is a NATO member with one of the alliance's largest militaries, Saudi Arabia is the Gulf's leading military and economic power, while Pakistan remains the world's only nuclear-armed Muslim state.
The agreement will be finalized during a high-level meeting in Jeddah attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.