Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye have activated the practical implementation of their new mutual defence agreement, agreeing to take measures for the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia amid continuing security threats facing the kingdom.
The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee of the Makkah Alliance for Defense in Riyadh on October 5. The three countries said they would immediately begin implementing their collective defence commitments.
The joint statement said the countries would provide the agreed military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment in Saudi Arabia under approved arrangements and in accordance with the national laws of the three countries.
Pact Activated Amid Attacks on Saudi Arabia
The meeting came amid continuing attacks and security threats facing Saudi Arabia.
The three countries condemned what they described as attempts to target Makkah and Madinah, along with attacks on Saudi cities and civilian and economic facilities. They reaffirmed their opposition to any attack or threat against Saudi Arabia’s security and territorial integrity.
The development comes as Saudi Arabia faces attacks that Riyadh has attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement. Saudi authorities have reported attacks targeting cities, civilian infrastructure and economic facilities, as well as attempts to target Makkah and Madinah.
The three countries said implementing the defence commitments would strengthen military readiness, improve coordination and integration between their armed forces and increase their collective ability to respond to security threats.
Senior Officials Meet in Riyadh
The emergency meeting was attended by senior political, defence and military officials from all three countries.
Saudi Arabia was represented by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Chief of General Staff General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al Ruwaili.
Pakistan was represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
Türkiye was represented by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yasar Guler and Chief of General Staff General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu.
The committee also appointed Pakistan’s retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood as the first Secretary General of the Makkah Alliance for Defense for a three year term.
Agreement Signed in August
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in Makkah on August 7.
Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries is to be regarded as an attack against all three. The agreement was described by Pakistan as defensive in nature and intended to strengthen collective deterrence against external aggression.
The three countries subsequently began establishing mechanisms to implement the agreement. Their foreign and defence ministers and military chiefs met in Istanbul on August 31, while further discussions were held in September.
