Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey have formed a joint defence pact resembling NATO's structure. According to the agreement, an attack on any one member will be considered an attack on all three nations.
In a joint statement, the three countries said the pact aims to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression and enhance defence cooperation across various sectors. The agreement was signed on Friday (7 August) in Makkah following a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
For Saudi Arabia, the pact represents an effort to address security threats from multiple fronts and rising concerns about United States conflict with Iran. Gulf officials take seriously Iran's latest threat to target energy facilities in Arab nations should the US attack similar facilities in Iran. Saudi Arabia also faces threats from Yemen militia groups and Iraqi militias.
Pakistan and Turkey share an interest in preventing regional conflict from worsening. Both nations border Iran respectively, while Pakistan has a large Shia population. Turkey shares similar concerns with Iran regarding Kurdish separatism, prompting both nations to prevent further escalation in the region.
The defence pact with Saudi Arabia represents a form of cooperation that strengthens the position of all three nations in facing potential threats in the Middle East.
