Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey have reaffirmed their commitment to jointly defend the kingdom’s security under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement. This was announced at a meeting of the defense ministers and chiefs of staff of the three countries, held in Riyadh on Friday, September 25.

The participants reviewed the security situation and the threats facing Saudi Arabia. According to the Pakistani military, the discussion took place against the backdrop of recent attacks, which it attributed to the Yemeni Houthis. The statement said that the targets included Mecca, as well as the kingdom’s civilian and economic infrastructure.

The Principle of Collective Defense

The trilateral agreement was signed on August 7, 2026. It establishes a framework for joint deterrence and stipulates that an armed attack against one of the signatories is considered an attack against all.

A statement from the Pakistani Army notes that representatives of the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to collective defense. They also expressed their determination to defend the security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia.

The parties agreed to intensify practical areas of cooperation between their armed forces. These include the exchange of intelligence, military coordination, and the integration of capabilities. Participants in the meeting in Riyadh expressed their intention to promptly translate the agreement’s commitments into effective mechanisms for cooperation.

Different Accounts of the Attacks

Reports on the alleged source of the threats contain discrepancies. The Pakistani military linked the attacks to the Houthis, who are said to have struck targets in Saudi Arabia. For his part, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, speaking at the UN General Assembly, cited “blatant” strikes by Iran against security facilities and the civilian and economic infrastructure of the Kingdom and other countries in the region.

It is not clear from these reports whether the Saudi minister was referring specifically to the incidents discussed at the meeting of defense chiefs. The reports do not provide independent confirmation of the circumstances or responsibility for the attacks.

Personnel Decision and Riyadh’s Position

On Wednesday, Pakistan appointed former Lieutenant General Naumaan Mahmood as the first secretary-general of the trilateral alliance. This appointment was one of the steps toward establishing the agreement’s organizational structure.

The meeting in Riyadh took place a day after talks between the foreign ministers of the three countries in New York, where they discussed the challenges facing the kingdom. Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman separately reported on a meeting with Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and confirmed the continuation of joint efforts to counter attacks on Mecca, as well as civilian and economic targets.

The Saudi Foreign Minister stated that regional security must be based on mutual respect, shared interests, good-neighborly relations, respect for state sovereignty, and compliance with international law. According to him, any regional security mechanisms must be comprehensive, effective, and sustainable, and must address the root causes of threats and instability.

Faisal bin Farhan also stated that the Kingdom reserves the right to defend its security and sovereignty, its citizens and residents, as well as its national resources. Riyadh called on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities in countering threats to international peace and security.