RIYADH: Military chiefs from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye met in Riyadh on Friday to review security threats facing the Kingdom and discuss closer military cooperation under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
The meeting focused on intelligence sharing, coordination between the three armed forces and the integration of defence capabilities. The participants also discussed measures to advance cooperation and strengthen collective defence.
The military leaders reviewed the security situation and threats facing Saudi Arabia. They condemned attacks targeting the holy city of Makkah as well as Saudi civilian and economic infrastructure, according to statements from Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry and Pakistan’s military.
The participants reaffirmed their commitment to collective defence and their resolve to support Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity. They also highlighted longstanding relations and mutual trust between the three countries and their armed forces.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7. The pact states that an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all three.
The three countries have since taken steps to establish mechanisms under the agreement. At their first Strategic Political and Defence Committee meeting in Istanbul on August 31, they agreed to establish a permanent secretariat in Saudi Arabia, initially headed by a Pakistani secretary-general for three years.
The Riyadh meeting followed discussions between the three countries’ foreign ministers on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Their talks included arrangements for military chiefs to discuss ways of supporting Saudi Arabia under the defence agreement.
The meeting comes amid heightened security concerns in Saudi Arabia following attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement. Saudi Arabia has reported missile and drone attacks targeting its territory and infrastructure in recent weeks.
MIHAS Awards 2026 Honour 13 Businesses for Innovation and Sustainable Growth
Türkiye has previously said it is prepared to help address Saudi military needs under the agreement, particularly in technical areas. Pakistan has also reaffirmed its commitment to the pact, while its government previously said no specific military response to Houthi attacks had been discussed under the agreement at that stage.
Meanwhile, Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus said the Makkah agreement could potentially develop into a broader security framework involving other Muslim-majority countries. He specifically mentioned Iran as a possible participant but stressed that Türkiye does not view the pact as being directed against Tehran. Reuters reported that the existing agreement is expected to undergo parliamentary ratification procedures beginning in October.
For now, however, the formal defence arrangement remains a three-country agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye. The Riyadh meeting represents another step in developing its military coordination mechanisms.
