Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan sign collective defense agreement

Three nations - Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan - have formed a collective defense agreement in Mecca, according to Reuters reporting on August 7. The agreement's purpose is to enhance mutual deterrence against potential aggression. Any armed attack on one country would be considered an attack on all three, per the agreement statement.

However, the document does not outline specific obligations for each nation. The Turkish official emphasized that the pact is defensive in nature, aimed at providing mutual support solely for defense purposes. The agreement's applicability extends beyond the three countries, open to further regional participation, and does not cancel or supersede any existing bilateral or multilateral pacts.

The three countries are deeply concerned about rising military aggressions from Israel and Iran. Iran and its allies have launched strikes against Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, disrupting energy supplies since February 28, following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The conflict originated from the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, leading to a series of cross-border attacks and military operations in the region.

Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Gulf Research Center, highlighted the political significance of the summit, noting that the three most influential Muslim powers convening amid uncertainty may foster closer coordination on security. Turkey, the second-largest NATO military, holds considerable power. Saudi Arabia, the region's most powerful Gulf state, is a key oil exporter with Islam's holiest sites.

Pakistan, the only Muslim-majority nation with nuclear weapons, has yet to be directly attacked but remains engaged to secure peace and stability. This agreement followed a year of intense negotiations. The Middle East has witnessed ongoing conflict since October 7, 2023, with Israel's war in Gaza and Turkey and Pakistan avoiding major direct attacks but seeking resolution to safeguard their security and economy.