Why is Syria considering joining the Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan defence pact?

Syria is currently contemplating joining the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, which is a mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. The move was disclosed by Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Shaibani during a regional security discussion at the Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain. Shaibani described Syria as an integral part of regional security and emphasized that Damascus would back any framework aimed at maintaining stability across the region.

The Middle East is increasingly in need of joint deterrence and defence systems, he added. The pact, signed in Mecca on August 7, commits each signatory to treat an attack on one member as an attack on all three, creating a mutual defence arrangement akin to NATO's collective security framework. However, political analyst Samy Akil from Syria Report cautioned that Syria's potential entry into the pact is still in the early stages and it is unlikely to become the fourth member in the near future.

Akil suggested that the move may be more of a strategic maneuver by Syrian authorities rather than a genuine intent to join the pact. The discussions over Syria's potential accession to the Mecca agreement come amid escalating attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen, which have targeted Saudi Arabia's airports, military installations, and energy infrastructure.

Riyadh and the Saudi-led coalition have sought international support, including military assistance from Turkey and Pakistan, to counter the Houthi threat. Despite this, Saudi Arabia has denied the reports of Syria deploying ground troops to Yemen, emphasizing its focus on stability, peace, and cooperation in the region.