Regional countries have expressed strong support for the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, a new pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan. The agreement, finalized during a summit in the holy city of Mecca, has been described by observers as a pivotal step toward fostering collective security, enhancing defence cooperation, and ensuring long-term regional stability.
The historic signing ceremony was attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. A cornerstone of the pact is the commitment that any armed attack against one of the three participating states will be viewed as an attack against all of them.
Somalia was among the nations to welcome the development, with its defence ministry releasing a statement on Friday. The ministry characterized the pact as a strategic partnership designed to address shared security challenges while advancing cooperation. Somalia expressed confidence that the agreement would reinforce principles of solidarity and shared responsibility, ultimately benefiting the peoples of the region and supporting international peace.
Bahrain also lauded the partnership, noting that it will strengthen deterrence and contribute to broader international stability. The Bahraini foreign ministry highlighted that the agreement leverages the established military experience and defence capabilities of the three nations. According to the ministry, the pact is intended to complement the existing collective defence system of the Gulf Cooperation Council, increasing its overall effectiveness. Bahrain further emphasized that the security of Saudi Arabia is integral to its own, affirming its commitment to protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states through collaborative efforts.
