Exclusive: Saudi Arabia opposed Egypt's inclusion in Mecca agreement, sources say

Saudi Arabia reportedly opposed Egypt's inclusion in the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, according to sources cited by Middle East Eye. Despite Turkey and Pakistan pushing for Cairo's participation, Riyadh had reservations, a former senior Saudi adviser stated. Three anonymous sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Saudi opposition stemmed from frustration over President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's government and the belief that Egypt no longer holds strategic or military significance.

The agreement, signed in Mecca, commits the three nations to consider an armed attack against any one of them as an attack on all, but lacks detailed operational mechanisms. Saudi officials describe it as a mechanism to bolster joint defense capabilities, though specifics on execution in a crisis remain unclear. The sources attributed the Saudi decision to simmering tensions between Riyadh and Cairo, noting that while Riyadh was the largest financial supporter of Sisi's government post-2013 coup, it had grown frustrated by what it perceived as lack of reciprocal security support.