Makkah alliance military chiefs vow to ‘immediately’ translate commitments into effective military cooperation: ISPR

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye have pledged to swiftly convert their commitments under the Makkah Defence Alliance into tangible military collaboration, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). This agreement was reached during a meeting on Friday in Riyadh, where the Chief of Defence Forces of Pakistan, Field Marshal Asim Munir, met with the Chiefs of General Staff from Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.

The gathering took place amid heightened security threats in the region, particularly the ongoing conflict involving the Houthis and the Yemeni government. The Houthis have imposed a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, attacked ships in the Red Sea, and launched strikes in Saudi Arabia in recent weeks.

The ISPR revealed that the military chiefs deliberated on various ways to bolster cooperation among their armed forces, such as improved intelligence sharing, joint military coordination, and integration of capabilities. These steps are expected to enhance deterrence and collective defense capabilities. The ISPR also noted that the participants reviewed the security situation and threats faced by Saudi Arabia, expressing strong disapproval of any attacks on the holy city of Makkah or civilian and economic infrastructure.

They praised the Saudi Armed Forces for their vigilance and professionalism in safeguarding the nation's security.

Moreover, the military chiefs reaffirmed their commitment to collective defense, demonstrating their resolve to protect Saudi Arabia's security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The ISPR emphasized that the Riyadh meeting underscored the robust defense partnership among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, as well as their unwavering dedication to fulfilling the commitments outlined in the tripartite defense agreement.

The agreement was initially signed in Makkah on August 7, and their first Strategic Political and Defence Committee meeting was held in Istanbul on August 31, when the three countries agreed to establish a permanent secretariat in Riyadh. Pakistan appointed retired Lt Gen Nauman Mahmood as the alliance’s first secretary general on Wednesday, advancing the institutional framework of the pact.