As the security situation in the Middle East continues to escalate, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have strengthened their military cooperation. Reuters reported on August 7 that the three countries signed a joint defense agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The agreement stipulates that if any of them is subjected to an armed attack, it will be considered an attack against all three countries.
The joint statement says that this “Mecca Joint Defense Agreement” aims to enhance collective deterrence capabilities and strengthen regional security cooperation. However, the statement does not disclose specific military commitments, including what kind of support each party will provide under what circumstances.
A Turkish official stated that the agreement includes “collective defense provisions,” but they are “purely defensive in nature.” The agreement does not target any specific country, and it will not replace the existing bilateral or multilateral security arrangements among the three countries.
As the agreement is being signed, the situation in the Middle East is undergoing severe turmoil. According to Reuters, since the United States and Israel launched military actions against Iran in February this year, Iran has continued to attack Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, causing disruptions in energy transportation in the region.
On that day, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Muneer met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Mecca.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan sign a joint defense agreement. IC Photo
This agreement was reached after nearly a year of negotiations. Sager, the chairman of the Gulf Research Center, said that all three countries are important nations in the Muslim world, and this cooperation reflects the desire of regional countries to strengthen security coordination. If the relevant mechanisms continue to develop, it could increase the influence of the three countries in regional affairs.
In military terms, each of the three countries has its own advantages. Turkey possesses the second-largest military force in NATO; Saudi Arabia is an important country in the Gulf region and a major global oil exporter; Pakistan, on the other hand, is the only Muslim country with nuclear weapons.
Australian National University expert Mansoor Ahmed said that Pakistan and Turkey can provide strong defense industrial capabilities, while Saudi Arabia can participate in the cooperation with its financial and technological resources. However, he believes that the agreement is unlikely to involve Pakistan's nuclear forces, as Pakistan's nuclear deterrent is mainly aimed at India.
Reuters reported that the three countries have maintained military ties over a long period. Pakistan has provided military training and technical support to Saudi Arabia for many years, and Turkey also collaborates with Pakistan in areas such as military ships and aircraft. In 2023, Saudi Arabia purchased Turkish drones, making it an important defense export project for Ankara.
For Saudi Arabia, this cooperation also reflects its concerns about changes in the regional security environment. As the risk of conflict spillover increases, Riyadh is seeking to expand security partnerships in order to reduce its dependence on a single external security provider.
