Makkah pact faces test as regional security landscape shifts

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye has emerged as a significant new framework

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye has emerged as a significant new framework for regional security cooperation, but its practical strength will depend on how effectively the three countries translate their commitments into coordinated action.

Signed in Makkah on August 7, 2026, the agreement states that an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all three. It also calls for greater defence cooperation and collective deterrence.

The pact comes as the Middle East faces major changes in its security environment, including the planned completion of the US military withdrawal from Iraq by September 30. Reuters reported that the withdrawal will end more than two decades of US military presence and could create new security challenges, with Iraqi and Kurdish officials expressing concerns about Iran’s influence and the possible resurgence of Islamic State militants.

The situation in Iraqi Kurdistan has added another dimension to the regional security debate. Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has warned that the US withdrawal comes at a sensitive time and could leave the region more vulnerable, particularly because of concerns over air-defence capabilities.

Against this backdrop, the Makkah agreement has gained additional significance. Military chiefs from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye recently met in Riyadh to discuss closer defence cooperation, including intelligence sharing, military coordination and the integration of capabilities. The meeting came amid escalating attacks linked to the wider regional conflict and growing security concerns in Saudi Arabia.

Each member brings different strategic capabilities to the partnership. Pakistan has a large military and extensive experience in counterterrorism operations. Türkiye has a substantial defence industry, NATO membership and a strategic position connecting Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has significant financial resources and a strategically important location in the Gulf.

However, the agreement also faces practical questions. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have different geographic priorities and security concerns. Pakistan’s security calculations are heavily influenced by its eastern border and regional tensions. Saudi Arabia’s concerns include threats from Yemen, Iran, the Gulf and the Red Sea. Türkiye remains focused on developments in Syria and Iraq as well as security issues involving its wider neighbourhood.

The collective-defence clause therefore raises questions about how the three governments would respond to different types of military crises. The agreement establishes a broad commitment, but the precise mechanisms for military assistance, command structures, deployment decisions and coordination will determine how the pact functions during an actual emergency.

Recent developments suggest that the agreement is already moving beyond a purely ceremonial framework. The three countries are discussing ways to strengthen military coordination, while officials have indicated that the pact is intended to improve collective deterrence. Turkish parliamentary officials have also said the agreement could potentially develop into a broader security initiative involving other Muslim-majority countries.

At the same time, the pact does not necessarily mean that the three countries are abandoning their existing international relationships. Türkiye remains a NATO member, while Saudi Arabia and Pakistan continue to maintain extensive defence and diplomatic ties with the United States and other major powers.

The broader significance of the Makkah agreement may therefore lie in strategic diversification. Rather than replacing existing alliances, the partnership could provide the three countries with another mechanism for addressing regional security challenges.

Its long-term effectiveness, however, will depend on implementation. Joint exercises, intelligence sharing, integrated defence planning and clearly defined procedures could determine whether the agreement develops into a durable security framework.

As the US completes its withdrawal from Iraq and regional tensions remain high, the Makkah pact is likely to face increasing attention. Its real test will come not from the wording of the agreement, but from how Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye respond when a serious security crisis affects one of them.