- Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed a mutual defense pact.
- The signatories clarified that the pact is not a military coalition but serves as a deterrent.
- Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly stated that the pact does not threaten the security of any country in the region.
- Erdogan emphasized that the agreement targets no country and is open to all brotherly countries.
- Former Qatari prime minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani described the tripartite pact as a step that calls for optimism and expressed hope that other Gulf Cooperation Council members would join.
- Analysts consider Qatar an obvious candidate to join the pact due to its defence agreement with Turkey.
- Kuwait is also seen as a potential signatory after ratifying its expanded defence cooperation agreement with Pakistan in July.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have formalized a mutual defense pact in Mecca, aimed at enhancing regional security amid U.S. disengagement. The agreement stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all.17
Despite concerns, the signatories emphasized that the pact is not a military coalition. Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly stated that the pact “does not threaten the security of any country in the region” and should not be seen as escalating tensions.23
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan echoed this sentiment, asserting that the agreement “targets no country” and is open to participation from other nations seeking peace and stability.4
Former Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani described the pact as “a step that calls for optimism”, suggesting that it could encourage other Gulf Cooperation Council members to join. Analysts have pointed to Qatar as a likely candidate due to its existing defense agreement with Turkey, while Kuwait may also consider joining following its recent defense cooperation agreement with Pakistan.56
“Saudi Deputy Minister Rayed Krimly said the pact 'does not threaten the security of any country in the region,' while Erdogan added it 'targets no country.' Former Qatari PM Hamad bin Jassim called it 'a step that calls for optimism,' and analysts see Qatar and Kuwait as potential future signatories.”
South China Morning Post
