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

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have formalized a trilateral defense agreement, deepening military cooperation among the three regional powers. The pact was signed on Friday during a meeting in Mecca between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to a statement from Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, the agreement is designed to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression. It stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three states will be regarded as an attack against all, effectively creating a mutual defense commitment. The accord also provides for the enhancement of all aspects of defense cooperation among the signatories.

The signing followed a series of bilateral meetings and official receptions in Mecca. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed both leaders upon their arrival, and the three held discussions on regional security and bilateral ties. The agreement comes amid growing security concerns in the region, signaling a closer alignment between the three nations.