Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan Sign Trilateral Defense Pact in Mecca
According to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, the pact states that any armed attack against one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all, establishing a framework for collective defense.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed a trilateral defense agreement on Friday aimed at strengthening military cooperation and collective deterrence amid growing regional security challenges, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry announced.
The agreement was signed in the holy city of Mecca during a meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
According to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, the pact states that any armed attack against one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all, establishing a framework for collective defense.
"The agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression," the ministry said, adding that it also provides for enhanced cooperation across all aspects of defense between the three countries.
The trilateral pact brings together Saudi Arabia, a key Gulf power; Pakistan, the Muslim world's only nuclear-armed state; and Turkey, which possesses NATO's second-largest military and a rapidly expanding defense industry.
Turkish media reported that the agreement is expected to include provisions for joint military exercises, defense training, intelligence sharing, and technology transfers.
The deal comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to diversify its defense partnerships following attacks on its critical infrastructure and oil facilities during the conflict involving Iran. It also follows a bilateral mutual defense pact signed by Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in September, under which an attack on either country is considered an attack on both.
The agreement was signed against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions, including the war involving Iran, as well as ongoing disputes between Turkey and Israel over Gaza and other regional conflicts.
Sharif arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday for a three-day visit accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir.
In addition to defense cooperation, the three leaders are expected to discuss efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran, expand trade and economic ties, and strengthen coordination on regional and international issues.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said Sharif's visit extends beyond the current Gulf crisis and is intended to deepen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation on broader strategic issues.