Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan to sign joint defence deal amid regional turmoil

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan are set to sign a joint defence agreement on Friday amid increasing regional turmoil, according to regional sources with direct knowledge. This pact comes at a time when Gulf states are facing attack from Iran following U.S. and Israeli involvement. Although the pact will solidify a growing coalition of prominent Sunni Muslim nations, there is currently no detail on each state's specific obligations.

A Turkish official confirmed the upcoming signing. Turkey, a NATO member, is one of the world's leading oil exporters and the most influential Gulf state. Saudi Arabia, another U.S. ally, is a key oil exporter and the strongest member of the Gulf. Pakistan, the sole nuclear-armed Muslim nation, plays a crucial role as well.

The signing will take place in Jeddah, attended by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Pakistan's powerful army chief Asim Munir, alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The agreement is the result of nearly a year of negotiations, with Reuters reporting in January. The Iran conflict has exposed the security vulnerabilities of Gulf states and disrupted the flow of oil and other essential goods through the Strait of Hormuz.

In January, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed a preference for a broader regional security framework to promote cooperation and stability. A Saudi-Pakistani pact previously stated that an attack on either party would be considered an attack on both, covering "all military means." However, Pakistani military and government officials have not yet commented on the matter. Saudi Arabia's government also declined to provide a response to a request for comment.