Mecca Defense Alliance agrees to ‘immediately’ implement collective defense commitments

Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan agreed Monday to “immediately” implement collective defense commitments and take measures to ensure the “rapid deployment” of agreed military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia, according to a joint statement.

The decision came during an emergency meeting of the Mecca Alliance’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee in the Saudi capital Riyadh to address security developments and threats facing the kingdom.

“The Committee decided to move immediately to the practical implementation of the collective defense commitments,” said the joint statement of the three member states sitting on the committee.

It also agreed “to take the necessary measures to provide the agreed military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment in the Kingdom.”

The deployment will proceed in line with “the approved arrangements and the national legislation of the Parties, thereby enhancing readiness, military integration, and the collective capacity to confront and counter threats,” it added.

The three countries also condemned “in the strongest terms the attempted targeting” of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina along with continuing attacks on other Saudi cities and civilian and economic facilities.

- ‘Unequivocal rejection of any attack or threat’ against Saudi Arabia's security or territorial integrity

The committee also appointed Pakistan’s Nauman Mahmood, a retired lieutenant general, as the alliance’s first secretary-general, set to serve a three-year term.

The member states welcomed Mahmood’s appointment, wished him success in carrying out his duties and expressed confidence in his contribution to advancing the alliance and achieving its objectives.

The statement said Pakistan and Türkiye “commended the vigilance and readiness of the Saudi Armed Forces,” as well as their professionalism and high-level competence in countering threats and attacks and safeguarding the kingdom’s security and territorial integrity.

The three countries reaffirmed “their unequivocal rejection of any attack or threat against the Kingdom’s security and territorial integrity.”

The committee reviewed the outcomes of political and military consultations preceding the meeting and approved the recommendations submitted to it, affirming that the Mecca Alliance for Defense embodies “a firm commitment to collective defense and a unified position in confronting threats.”

The parties affirmed that “the security of each Party is an integral part of the collective security of the three countries.”

They said translating the Mecca Defense Alliance into practical measures demonstrates the credibility of their commitment to collective defense, strengthens deterrence, and reaffirms “the unity and determination of our three countries to defend their security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement.”

The pact forming the new alliance was signed on Aug. 7, followed by steps by its three member states to institutionalize the agreement.