Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan unite for collective defence
MAKKAH, August 8, 2026: Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan have signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, committing to deepen trilateral defence cooperation and strengthen collective security amid growing regional security challenges.
The agreement was signed during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence, held at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah following an invitation from Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visited Saudi Arabia on August 7 at the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman received the Turkish president and Pakistani prime minister at Al-Safa Palace, where the leaders reviewed bilateral and trilateral relations and discussed issues of mutual interest.
The summit highlighted the longstanding historical ties among Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, particularly their shared Islamic bonds, strategic interests and established defence cooperation.
The three leaders said the new agreement reflects their common commitment to strengthening collective security while promoting peace, stability and security in the region and beyond.
A key provision of the agreement establishes a collective defence principle. An armed attack against any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all three states.
The agreement also calls for strengthening cooperation across various areas of defence, potentially providing a broader framework for closer military coordination among the three countries.
The agreement is designed to enhance collective deterrence against acts of aggression and reinforce the three countries' ability to respond to shared security threats.
The arrangement brings together three strategically important countries with significant military, diplomatic and economic influence in the Muslim world.
For Saudi Arabia, the agreement adds another dimension to its expanding strategic partnerships and security cooperation. Türkiye brings NATO membership and a significant defence-industrial capability, while Pakistan contributes extensive military experience and longstanding defence ties with Saudi Arabia.
The Makkah agreement signals a stronger emphasis on coordinated security among Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan.
Beyond defence cooperation, the summit also underlined the importance of their historical relationships and shared strategic interests. The leaders expressed their commitment to building a secure and prosperous future through closer cooperation.
The agreement comes at a time when security developments across the Middle East and wider region continue to influence the strategic calculations of major regional powers.
The three countries' decision to formalize their collective defence commitment could therefore become an important development in the evolving regional security landscape.
