RIYADH: Military chiefs from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye have pledged to immediately translate the commitments of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA) into practical military cooperation.
The commitment came during a meeting of the three countries’ Chiefs of Defence Forces and Chiefs of General Staff in Riyadh on Friday, where they reviewed the security situation and threats facing Saudi Arabia, according to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The military chiefs strongly condemned attacks targeting the holy city of Makkah, as well as strikes against civilian and economic infrastructure.
They also praised the vigilance and professionalism of the Saudi Armed Forces in protecting the kingdom and its people.
Focus on intelligence sharing and defence integration
During the meeting, the military leaders discussed measures to strengthen defence cooperation, including intelligence sharing, closer military coordination and greater integration of defence capabilities.
The participants said these measures would contribute to deterrence and collective defence while improving coordination among the three countries’ armed forces.
They also highlighted the longstanding relations and mutual trust between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, describing the Riyadh meeting as a reflection of the strength of their defence partnership.
The three military chiefs reaffirmed their commitment to collective defence and their countries’ resolve to protect Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
What is the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement?
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, 2026, during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence.
Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries is to be regarded as an attack against all three.
The pact provides a framework for closer defence cooperation, including stronger coordination and joint military exercises.
Makkah defence pact is defensive, has no regional aspirations: ISPR chief
The three countries also agreed to establish political and military mechanisms involving their defence and foreign ministers as well as military chiefs.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan previously said the alliance’s secretariat would be established in Riyadh and that its first secretary general would be from Pakistan.
Pakistan subsequently appointed retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood as the alliance’s first secretary general, with the General Secretariat established in Riyadh.
Possibility of wider membership
The possibility of expanding the defence arrangement has also been raised.
Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus said on Friday that the MJDA could eventually develop into a broader security framework for the Muslim world and suggested that Iran could also join.
Kurtulmus said Turkiye did not view the agreement as being directed against Iran.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also expressed support for Iran’s inclusion in a broader regional security framework, saying Tehran’s participation could contribute to regional stability.
The latest meeting in Riyadh comes as the three countries seek to strengthen coordination under the newly established defence framework and translate its commitments into closer military cooperation.
