Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey Activate Makkah Defence Pact Amid Tensions
On 6 October, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey activated their Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, preparing military forces in response to renewed Houthi attacks. This follows emergency talks in Riyadh among senior officials from the three nations. The agreement, established on 7 August, is often referred to as a potential 'Muslim NATO' due to its collective-defence clause, although analysts caution that this comparison may be overstated. Each country has distinct security concerns: Saudi Arabia focuses on Iran, Turkey has a broader threat perception, and Pakistan primarily views India as its main threat. The pact aims to enhance military cooperation and establish a permanent secretariat in Saudi Arabia, but differing threat perceptions may complicate unified responses to attacks. The current activation marks a significant test of the agreement amid escalating regional tensions linked to the conflict in Yemen.
Published 20 hours ago • 06 Oct 2026, 10:44 AM IST