Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan sign mutual defence pact in Mecca

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed a joint defence agreement in Mecca on Friday, formalising a collective security commitment as the Middle East conflict continues to escalate.

The pact, named the "Mecca Joint Defence Agreement," states that an armed attack against any of the three countries will be considered an attack on all. The joint statement did not specify the exact obligations each nation has accepted, but described the agreement as defensive in nature and aimed at strengthening collective security and regional stability.

A Turkish official said the pact is purely defensive, not directed at any specific actor, and remains open to other regional countries. It does not replace existing bilateral or multilateral arrangements.

The agreement comes after nearly a year of negotiations, and follows months of missile and drone fire targeting Gulf states. Iran and its allies have struck Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations, and have blockaded energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil supplies.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by army chief General Asim Munir, performed the Umrah pilgrimage in Mecca before meeting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan also attended the signing.

The three countries bring significant military weight to the pact. Turkey has NATO's second-largest military, Saudi Arabia is a leading oil exporter and home to Islam's holiest sites, and Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed Muslim nation.

Analysts say the political symbolism of the summit is significant, as three influential Muslim states coordinate more closely on security matters. The pact builds on longstanding bilateral ties, including Pakistani training assistance to Saudi forces and a 2023 Saudi agreement to buy Turkish drones.

Pakistan has also deployed thousands of troops, fighter jets, drones and air-defence systems to the kingdom, and has opened negotiations with Kuwait on a similar expanded security arrangement.

Israeli officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the agreement.