Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey have signed a joint defense agreement in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, aimed at enhancing collective security and deterrence against regional aggression. The pact, signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, marks a significant trilateral cooperation effort in the Middle East. The agreement allows member states to consider an attack on one as an attack on all, reinforcing a unified stance against potential threats.
The deal was signed during a visit by Pakistani and Turkish officials to the holy city, with Saudi Arabia hosting the ceremony. The pact includes provisions for joint defense industry projects and is open to other nations seeking regional stability. Turkish Vice President Fuat Köcü, who attended the signing, emphasized that the agreement is not directed at any specific country.
Saudi officials have reiterated that the new alliance does not pose a threat to any nation. The pact comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with Iran recently accused of launching attacks on Gulf states. The symbolic lighting of landmarks in Saudi Arabia with the flags of all three nations highlighted the significance of the agreement.
The joint defense pact is seen as a strategic move to counterbalance regional powers and promote peace through collective security. (aljazeera.com)
