Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan sign trilateral defence pact in Mecca

In a high‑profile diplomatic ceremony in Mecca, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed a joint defence agreement aimed at enhancing security cooperation among the three Gulf‑region and South‑Asian nations. The accord, signed on Tuesday, outlines joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and coordinated counter‑terrorism initiatives, with a particular focus on stabilizing the volatile regions of Yemen and the broader Arabian Peninsula.

The agreement follows a series of meetings between the leaders that began last month, during which they discussed regional security challenges and economic collaboration. Officials said the pact will strengthen interoperability among the armed forces and facilitate the exchange of best practices in border security, cyber defence, and maritime patrols. The signing ceremony, attended by senior military and diplomatic officials, underscored the growing alignment of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan in addressing shared threats such as extremist insurgencies and maritime piracy.

While the precise operational framework of the agreement remains under development, the leaders emphasized its role in fostering closer ties and promoting stability in the region. The pact is expected to be reviewed annually, with the first joint exercise scheduled for early next year, marking a significant step in the trilateral security partnership.