Fri 07 August 2026:
Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a joint defense agreement at a trilateral summit in Makkah on Friday, pledging to strengthen collective security, deepen defense cooperation and promote peace and stability in the region and beyond.
The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement was signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during the summit held at Al-Safa Palace.
WATCH | Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye sign defence deal amid regional turmoil
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye have signed a joint defence agreement, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said, deepening security cooperation amid heightened military tensions and conflicts… pic.twitter.com/AjFHXncPPF
— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) August 7, 2026
According to a statement by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate, the agreement reflects the three countries’ shared commitment to reinforcing their collective security, building on longstanding historical ties, Islamic solidarity, common strategic interests and close defense cooperation.
WATCH | Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif in Mecca
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye have signed a joint defence agreement, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said, deepening security cooperation amid heightened military… pic.twitter.com/zyay98c8rF
— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) August 7, 2026
The agreement aims to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression and stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three countries shall be regarded as an attack against them all.
It also provides for the enhancement of defense cooperation across all areas among the three countries.
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud hosted Erdogan and Sharif in Saudi Arabia for the summit.
The agreement aims to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression and stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three countries shall be regarded as an attack against them all.
Read more here: https://t.co/ABg5CkE1Wd pic.twitter.com/IFSIEBh4wO
— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) August 7, 2026
Why now?
Erdogan’s last visit to Riyadh in February had brought similar talk of a Turkish-Saudi axis, but such an alliance was not formalised.
The timing of Friday’s visit is no less significant. It comes a week after Saudi Arabia unveiled a multinational maritime security initiative to protect shipping through the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. The coalition has already been backed by 14 countries, including Turkiye and Pakistan.
The visit also follows months of upheaval in the Strait of Hormuz, caused by the US and Israel’s war on Iran, in which Islamabad has positioned itself as the go-to mediator.
WATCH | Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives the Turkish President Erdogan in Mec
The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement was signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during the summit… pic.twitter.com/e7S9T8Pa7e
— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) August 7, 2026
Iran has retaliated against US and Israeli attacks by launching missiles and drones at military bases that host American troops across the region, including in Gulf states. Iran has also targeted hotels and energy sites in the region.
__________________________________________________________________________
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22
__________________________________________________________________________
Separately, the kingdom has been dealing with heightened tensions with the Houthis in Yemen. The two sides have been trading attacks over the past weeks. And the Yemeni group has been targeting Saudi ships in the Red Sea.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
__________________________________________________________________________
FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:
WhatsApp CHANNEL
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22
TWITTER (CLICK HERE)
https://twitter.com/IpIndependent
FACEBOOK (CLICK HERE)
https://web.facebook.com/ipindependent
YOUTUBE (CLICK HERE)
https://www.youtube.com/@ipindependent
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
