RIYADH/ISLAMABAD (MNN); Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have agreed to rapidly deploy military forces and capabilities to the kingdom under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said Monday.
The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee (SPDC) of the Makkah Defence Alliance in Riyadh, convened to review security developments and threats facing Saudi Arabia.
The committee agreed to move immediately toward implementing the alliance’s collective defence commitments and to take necessary measures for providing and rapidly deploying agreed military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia, in line with approved arrangements and the national laws of the three countries.
The Foreign Office said the move would strengthen military readiness, integration and the collective ability of the three nations to respond to security threats.
The three countries strongly condemned attempts to target Makkah and Madina, as well as attacks against Saudi cities and civilian and economic infrastructure. They reaffirmed that any threat to Saudi Arabia’s security and territorial integrity would be rejected.
Pakistan and Türkiye also praised the readiness and professionalism of the Saudi armed forces in dealing with the threats facing the kingdom.
The SPDC reviewed the outcomes of political and military consultations held ahead of the meeting and approved recommendations aimed at putting the Makkah defence agreement into practical operation.
The three countries reaffirmed that the security of each member is an integral part of the collective security of all three states. They said implementation of the agreement would strengthen deterrence and demonstrate their commitment to defending their sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan and Türkiye currently have a supportive role in the theatre, while Saudi forces are conducting combat operations. He said whatever assistance Saudi Arabia requires is being provided, adding that Pakistan is also involved in reconnaissance activities.
Asif said the meeting focused largely on formalising the operational and organisational structure of the Makkah alliance.
As part of the institutionalisation process, Pakistan’s Lieutenant General (Retd) Nauman Mahmood was appointed the alliance’s first secretary general for a three-year term.
Pakistan’s delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7, seeks to strengthen collective deterrence and provides for an attack against one member to be treated as an attack against all members.
The latest meeting came amid renewed fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi forces. The development follows earlier military-level consultations among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye in Riyadh regarding security threats to the kingdom.
Pakistan has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security, with officials stating that Islamabad would provide practical and diplomatic support if the conflict escalates.
