Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye Move to Deepen Military Cooperation

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye have agreed to move quickly toward stronger military cooperation under the Makkah Defence Alliance as senior commanders from the three countries met in Riyadh amid heightened regional security concerns. The discussions brought together Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir with the chiefs of general staff of Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.

The meeting focused on converting commitments under the trilateral defence framework into practical cooperation between the three armed forces. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, participants discussed greater intelligence sharing, closer military coordination and the integration of capabilities. These measures are intended to strengthen collective defence and improve deterrence as the security environment around Saudi Arabia becomes increasingly tense.

The talks took place as renewed fighting involving Yemen’s Houthis has increased pressure on the kingdom. The group has declared a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabia, attacked vessels in the Red Sea and carried out attacks inside Saudi territory in recent weeks. The military chiefs reviewed the evolving threat and the potential requirements for protecting Saudi territory, civilian facilities and strategically important infrastructure.

The commanders also discussed attacks directed toward the holy city of Makkah and other civilian and economic targets. They praised the Saudi armed forces for their response to the threats and reaffirmed their commitment to the kingdom’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The three sides indicated that cooperation under the defence agreement would be used to support collective security while strengthening coordination among their respective forces.

The Riyadh meeting followed earlier consultations among the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, who had discussed convening the military chiefs to consider practical measures under the alliance. The diplomatic consultations also focused on establishing the agreement’s institutional structures, including a permanent secretariat, committees and working groups that are expected to coordinate future defence cooperation.

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was signed by the three countries on August 7. A subsequent meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee was held in Istanbul on August 31, where the members decided to establish the alliance’s permanent secretariat in Riyadh. Pakistan was selected to provide the secretary general for the first three-year term, and retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood was appointed to that position as the framework moved toward formal implementation.

Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman later welcomed the outcome of the military chiefs’ meeting during discussions with Field Marshal Munir. The two sides reviewed attacks on Makkah as well as civilian and economic infrastructure and reaffirmed continued joint efforts under the defence agreement. The latest talks mark a significant step from establishing the alliance’s institutional structure toward operational coordination, with further decisions on specific forms of military assistance expected to depend on Saudi requirements and agreement among all three member states.