Pakistan’s foreign minister reiterated Sunday that the new defense agreement signed with Saudi Arabia and Turkey is purely defensive and open to other regional nations, as the three countries aim to strengthen security cooperation amid rising tensions. The landmark Makkah Joint Defense Agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, marking a significant step in trilateral collaboration (arabnews.pk).
The pact comes amid heightened regional instability, with Iran-backed Houthi rebels launching attacks on Saudi infrastructure. On Sunday, the group targeted an Aramco oil refinery and a Red Sea port, killing at least seven people, according to officials. The Saudi energy ministry confirmed the incident and stated authorities were handling the situation, though details remain limited (nbcnews.com).
Separately, Pakistan announced plans to collaborate with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar on an oil storage initiative to enhance energy security. The project aims to bolster domestic reserves and reduce vulnerability to supply disruptions, a goal Pakistan has been pursuing since May (dawn.com).
The Houthi attacks underscore the ongoing security challenges in the region, with previous strikes on Saudi oil facilities drawing international concern. Despite the tensions, the new defense pact signals a commitment to collective security among the three nations (euronews.com).
