Somalia welcomes Saudi-Türkiye-Pakistan defense pact

Somalia has expressed strong approval for a new joint defense agreement forged between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, hailing it as a landmark achievement for collective security and enhanced defense cooperation. The Somali Ministry of Defense issued a statement emphasizing that the pact creates a strategic partnership designed to confront mutual security challenges and foster long-term defense collaboration among the three nations.

The ministry conveyed optimism that the agreement will significantly contribute to regional peace and stability. It also highlighted the pact's role in reinforcing principles of cooperation, solidarity, and shared responsibility, asserting that it will serve the interests of the region's populations and uphold international peace and security.

The "Mecca Joint Defense Agreement" was formalized following a summit in the holy city of Mecca. The gathering included key leaders such as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This alliance unites the economically powerful Saudi Arabia, nuclear-armed Pakistan, and Türkiye, which possesses NATO's second-largest military and a burgeoning defense industry. The pact is seen as a move to increase cooperation and deterrence at a time marked by heightened regional uncertainty and perceived threats.