Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey sign mutual defense pact

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey have formalized a significant mutual defense pact, establishing a collective security framework. The agreement, signed in the holy city of Mecca, dictates that any armed attack against one of the three allied nations will be considered an aggression against all of them.

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An attack against one country is an attack against all.

The pact, dubbed the Joint Defense Agreement of Mecca, was signed during a trilateral summit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The agreement aims to bolster "collective deterrence against any act of aggression."

This defense treaty builds upon a similar agreement signed in September between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Turkey's inclusion expands the scope of joint defense cooperation among these key Islamic nations. The move is seen as a strategic step to enhance their shared strategic interests and promote regional peace and security.

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The agreement aims to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression and stipulates that any armed attack against any of the three states will be considered an attack against all of them.

The signing occurs amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East, particularly concerning the conflict between the United States and Iran, which has impacted Gulf nations. Saudi Arabia also faces maritime security challenges, including blockades and attacks on shipping by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The kingdom recently established a Multinational Maritime Security Alliance, which includes Pakistan and Turkey, to protect navigation in the Red Sea.

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strengthening all aspects of cooperation