Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement in Makkah on 7 August 2026. The treaty commits the three nations to protecting each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and internationally recognised borders.
An armed attack originating from outside against any member will be treated as an attack against all members. The agreement includes cooperation in defense, defense industries, and security.
Members must consult regularly on international security matters and commit to strengthening joint efforts against terrorism. The pact encourages personnel exchanges, joint training programs, exercises, and deployments.
It provides for technology sharing, joint research and development, and defense equipment production. Members are required to exchange intelligence through mutually agreed secure channels.
A Strategic Political and Defence Committee will be established comprising foreign ministers, defense ministers, and chiefs of general staff. This committee will meet twice a year, with the host country rotating among the members.
A secretariat will be headquartered in Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan will supply the first secretary general. The agreement enters into force when the final instrument of ratification is deposited with the secretariat.
Pakistan ratified the agreement, while Turkiye submitted the pact to parliament for ratification. Members are restricted from withdrawing for the first 10 years after the treaty enters into force.
Disputes over the interpretation or implementation of the agreement must be settled through consultations. Amendments require unanimous agreement among the core members.
The pact will not prejudice rights and obligations arising from existing international agreements. Turkiye's constitution requires separate parliamentary authorisation to deploy troops abroad.
Hakan Fidan, Turkish Foreign Minister, said the Makkah Agreement was not an "offensive agreement", adding that Turkiye would not send troops to another country to carry out attacks on its territory. Burhanettin Duran said, "This strategic partnership developed between our countries aims to strengthen collective deterrence, enhance joint capabilities in the defence sector, and safeguard security and stability in our region."
The three countries agreed to ensure the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia at an emergency meeting in Riyadh earlier this month. Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus will refer the agreement to parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee upon his return from Kyrgyzstan.
