On the 7th local time, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye signed a joint defense treaty in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

This move marks an effort by pro-U.S. Sunni Muslim nations to tighten their security alignment, driven by a sense of crisis over armed conflicts spreading across the Middle East, including missile attacks targeting oil-producing countries in the Gulf region.

The leaders of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye signed the joint defense treaty—dubbed the Mecca Joint Defense Treaty—in Mecca, the holiest site in Islam.

In a joint statement, the three nations specified, "We have signed this treaty to strengthen our collective deterrence against all acts of aggression," adding, "An armed attack against any of the three signatory nations will be considered an attack against all of them."

While the statement did not disclose specific obligations for the treaty signatories, it explained that the agreement aims to bolster collective security among the three countries and promote peace, security, and stability globally beyond the Middle East.

Mindful of the intense spotlight and potential scrutiny the agreement would draw, Saudi Arabia issued a cautious stance.

Rayed Krimly, Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy, emphasized in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that "this agreement is not an attempt to build a military axis or sectarian bloc," and added that it has "no connection to nuclear ambitions or an arms race, focusing solely on building sustainable capabilities."

Burhanettin Duran, Communications Director of the Turkish Presidency, also drew a line on X, writing, "The Mecca Agreement does not target any specific country," and noting that it will "significantly contribute to strengthening our countries' joint security and collective deterrence, enhancing defense industry cooperation and military interoperability, and maintaining peace and stability in our region."

However, the treaty is simultaneously interpreted as carrying a deterrent posture against both the Iran-led Shiite Muslim bloc—whose outline was starkly revealed during the war with Iran—and Israel, which has been expanding its influence.

Following a major turning point in the years-long regional conflict triggered by U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran on February 28, Iran and its proxy forces launched attacks on Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and blockaded energy shipping routes.

Türkiye also became a target of Iran-linked attacks during the war.

Moreover, as their long-standing ally, the United States, struggles to control upheavals in the region, the three nations have expressed deep concern over the increasingly blatant military maneuvers by Israel and the Shiite Islamic powerhouse, Iran.

Additionally, the countries party to this treaty have maintained close cooperation in the defense sector over the years.

Pakistan has provided training and technical support to the Saudi military for decades, while Türkiye and Pakistan have exchanged naval vessels and training aircraft.

Saudi Arabia agreed to a large-scale purchase of Turkish-made drones in 2023.

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a military agreement last September stipulating a joint response to external attacks against either nation.

Experts evaluate that the three-nation defense treaty has the potential to become a formidable "defense cartel" spanning South Asia and the Middle East.

This is because Türkiye possesses the second-largest military force within NATO, Saudi Arabia—the leader of the Gulf region—is one of the world's largest oil producers encompassing Islam's holiest sites, and Pakistan is the Islamic world's only nuclear-armed state.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)