Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan Sign Joint Defense Agreement Amid Regional Tensions

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed a key defense agreement in Mecca, solidifying cooperation between the three regional powers at a time of growing security concerns. The so-called 'Mecca Joint Defense Agreement' treats an attack on one as an attack on all three, increasing cooperation and deterrence.

The agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the holy city of Mecca. It stipulates that any armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all.

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