Mecca Alliance meeting in Riyadh: Joint deterrence decision from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan
At an emergency meeting in Riyadh, the three countries agreed to act jointly within the framework of the Mecca Alliance against Houthi attacks.
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An emergency meeting was held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, within the scope of the Mecca Alliance, which includes Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. It was reported that an agreement was reached at the meeting to implement "collective deterrence measures" against Houthi attacks.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, and Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu traveled to Saudi Arabia as part of an official visit. The Turkish delegation attended the Mecca Alliance Strategic Political and Defense Committee meeting between Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia held in Riyadh.
Making a statement after the meeting, Saudi Arabian Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman announced that the member countries had agreed to act together in the face of attacks. Bin Salman stated that the three countries reaffirmed their solidarity and unity against the Houthis' "heinous attacks targeting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and holy sites."
The Saudi Minister stated that the committee had decided to implement joint deterrence measures within the framework of the alliance against the attacks and those held responsible for them. No details were shared regarding which concrete military or political steps the decision would entail.
FRAMEWORK OF THE AGREEMENT
The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement was signed in Mecca on August 7, 2026, between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. The fundamental principle of the agreement is defined as an armed attack against one of the member countries being considered an attack against the other two.
The agreement was signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In official statements, it was emphasized that the alliance was not established against any specific country and aimed to strengthen regional security and stability.
The Mecca Alliance is considered a trilateral mechanism aimed at deepening defense cooperation and increasing joint deterrence. However, not all details regarding the scope of steps to be taken in the event of a possible attack and the concrete obligations of the parties under the agreement have been disclosed to the public.