The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Military chiefs from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye pledged Friday to turn commitments under the Makkah Joint Defence Alliance into practical military cooperation as they discussed security threats facing Saudi Arabia.
The chiefs of defense forces and chiefs of general staff of
the three countries met in Riyadh, according to Pakistan’s military public
relations wing, ISPR. They reviewed regional security developments and threats
facing the kingdom.
The military chiefs condemned attacks targeting Makkah as
well as civilian and economic infrastructure, and praised the Saudi armed
forces for what they described as their vigilance and professionalism in
protecting the kingdom and its people.
The three sides discussed strengthening military cooperation
through intelligence sharing, greater military coordination and the integration
of defense capabilities, with the aim of improving deterrence and collective
defense.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to the security,
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was signed by Saudi
Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye on Aug. 7, 2026, during a summit in Makkah. Under
the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries is
considered an attack against all three.
The agreement also calls for closer defense cooperation,
including coordination and joint military exercises, as well as the
establishment of political and military mechanisms involving defense and
foreign ministers and military chiefs.
The pact was renamed the Makkah Joint Defence Alliance after
the first meeting of its Strategic Political and Defence Committee in Istanbul
on Aug. 31. Türkiye has said the alliance’s secretariat will be based in
Riyadh, with Pakistan providing its first secretary-general. Pakistan
subsequently appointed retired Lt. Gen. Nauman Mahmood to the position.
The alliance could eventually expand beyond its three
founding members. Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus said Friday that
the arrangement could develop into a broader security framework for the Muslim
world and that Iran could potentially join.
Kurtulmus said Türkiye did not view the alliance as being
directed against Iran. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also
supported Iran’s possible inclusion in a broader regional security framework,
saying Tehran’s participation could contribute to regional stability.
