Makkah alliance orders rapid Saudi force deployment

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have agreed to take immediate steps to implement their collective defence commitments and arrange the rapid deployment of agreed military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia.

The decision was reached during an emergency meeting of the Strategic-Political and Defence Committee (SPDC) of the Makkah Alliance for Defence in Riyadh. The meeting focused on growing security threats facing Saudi Arabia and ways to strengthen coordination among the three countries.

The three nations agreed to take the necessary measures for providing and deploying the agreed military capabilities in line with approved arrangements and the national laws of each country.

According to the joint statement, the move is aimed at improving military readiness, strengthening integration among the armed forces and enhancing the alliance’s collective ability to respond to security threats.

The participants strongly condemned attacks and threats targeting Saudi Arabia, including attempts against the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. They reiterated that any threat to Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity was unacceptable.

Pakistan and Türkiye also praised the preparedness and professionalism of the Saudi Armed Forces in responding to attacks and protecting the Kingdom.

The committee reviewed recommendations emerging from earlier political and military consultations and approved the proposed measures for implementing the defence agreement.

The meeting also resulted in the appointment of retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood of Pakistan as the alliance’s first secretary-general. He will serve a three-year term. The three countries expressed confidence that his appointment would help advance the alliance’s objectives and strengthen cooperation.

The members reaffirmed that the security of one country was closely linked to the collective security of all three members. They said translating the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement into practical measures would strengthen deterrence and demonstrate their commitment to defending their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The emergency meeting was held in Riyadh on October 5.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had travelled to Riyadh to participate in the meeting, accompanied by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir. Senior foreign and defence officials from Saudi Arabia and Türkiye also attended.

The trilateral Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was formally signed on August 7 to strengthen defence cooperation, collective deterrence and regional security.

The latest meeting followed discussions among the three countries’ foreign ministers on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 24. They had agreed to accelerate implementation of the agreement and convene consultations among their military leadership.

Military chiefs from the three countries subsequently met in Riyadh to assess security threats and discuss intelligence sharing, military coordination and greater integration of defence capabilities.