Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan Sign Defense Pact Amid Regional Tensions

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed a defense agreement, deepening cooperation between the three regional powers. The deal was signed in Mecca during a meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The agreement aims to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, with any armed attack against one of the three states considered an attack on all. It also provides for enhanced defense cooperation among the three countries.

Saudi Arabia has been looking to diversify its defense partnerships due to security concerns, including attacks on critical infrastructure and oil facilities as part of the war in Iran. The agreement comes amid rising tensions between Turkey and Israel over Gaza and other regional conflicts.