Sunni Powers Unite: Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan Sign Historic Defence Pact
A major regional security pact is set to be signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan in Jeddah, amidst growing concerns over Iran's military actions and shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement follows nearly a year of negotiations and aims to promote cooperation and stability among Sunni Muslim powers.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will attend the signing ceremony, accompanied by powerful Turkish army chief Asim Munir. The pact has been in the works since January, when Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed Ankara's desire for a broader regional security platform.
The existing Saudi-Pakistani agreement treats an attack on either country as an attack on both and encompasses 'all military means', according to a previous Reuters report. The new pact is seen as a response to the growing security vulnerabilities in the region, including Iran's military actions and disruptions to oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.