Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia Sign Historic Defense Pact in Mecca

A historic defense pact was signed on Friday between Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression.

The so-called 'Mecca Joint Defense Agreement' aims to increase cooperation during regional uncertainty and threats from the ongoing Iran war. It has been likened to a NATO-style alliance, with Pakistan's foreign ministry stating that an attack on any member would be regarded as an attack on all.

However, experts have pointed out that the deal is unlikely to work in this way at first. For instance, when the Houthi rebel group in Yemen fired at Saudi Arabian oil facilities again, neither Turkey nor Pakistan came to the Saudis' defense.

The agreement has been described as an 'elastic defense pact,' with Dania Thafer from the Gulf International Forum stating that it provides a layered deterrence approach for Saudi Arabia. The long-term goal is to increase defense cooperation rather than fighting.