Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan sign defence pact amid regional war

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed a joint defense pact in response to regional tensions and the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement aims to enhance collective security and promote stability in the region. The agreement states that an attack on any member country is considered an attack on all members.

While Turkey clarified that the pact is not aimed at any specific country, it emphasized that the agreement does not contradict Turkey's commitments to NATO. The defense pact comes amid Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and the US-Iran war, which have disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan are seeking to diversify their alliances beyond the United States, hoping to build sustainable defense capabilities in case Washington cannot or will not provide support.