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▶️Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan activate Mecca defense pact
The three countries said the measures would be implemented under approved arrangements and in accordance with the national laws of each country.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have agreed to immediately implement their collective defence commitments, including the rapid deployment of agreed military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia.
The decision was reached on Monday during an emergency meeting of the Mecca Defence Alliance in Riyadh, according to a joint statement issued by Pakistan’s foreign ministry.
The three countries said the measures would be implemented under approved arrangements and in accordance with the national laws of each country.
Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman said the meeting reaffirmed the three countries’ “solidarity and unity” in responding to what he described as attacks against Saudi Arabia and Islamic holy sites.
The move follows a reported attack on a power distribution station in Medina. The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group said the attack targeted a facility supplying electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August. Under the pact, an armed attack against one of the three members is considered an attack against all.
The agreement initially provided few details on the specific military commitments or defence obligations of each country.
The latest announcement marks a move from the framework of the agreement towards its practical implementation, with the three countries now agreeing to put arrangements for the deployment of military capabilities into effect.
