Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey agreed on October 5 to activate their mutual-defense commitments and prepare a rapid military deployment in Saudi Arabia. The decision followed an emergency meeting in Riyadh of the Makkah Defense Alliance, their three-country defense partnership.

Committee approves deployment measures

The alliance’s Strategic, Political and Defense Committee met to discuss security developments and threats facing Saudi Arabia. In a joint statement, the countries said they would move immediately to put their defense commitments into practice.

The committee agreed to provide previously agreed forces and military capabilities for rapid deployment in the kingdom. Those measures would follow approved arrangements and each participating country’s national laws, the statement said.

The countries said the aim was to improve military readiness, integration and their collective ability to confront threats. The number and composition of the forces, their deployment locations and the timetable remain unspecified.

The committee also approved recommendations arising from political and military consultations held before the emergency meeting. The three governments said each country’s security formed an integral part of their collective security.

Countries condemn attacks on Saudi Arabia

The joint statement condemned attempted attacks on Mecca and Medina, the holy cities named by the alliance. It also condemned continuing attacks on Saudi cities and civilian and economic facilities.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said the allies stood together against attacks on the kingdom and holy sites. He said they would activate collective deterrence against those attacks and whoever was behind them.

A Greek news outlet and a Kuwaiti news outlet described the meeting as taking place amid Houthi attacks on Saudi cities and infrastructure. The Kuwaiti outlet also reported attacks on energy sites and Saudi ships, along with civilian injuries and material damage.

Alliance appoints its first secretary-general

The committee appointed retired Pakistani Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood as the alliance’s first secretary-general. He will serve a three-year term.

According to the Greek news outlet, the defense agreement was signed in Mecca on August 7, 2026. Its signatories were Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The outlet reported that the agreement treats an armed attack on one member as an attack on all three.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said participants also discussed a peaceful resolution through dialogue, the Greek outlet reported. He described Saudi Arabia’s approach to resolving the issue as constructive.