Physical Address
Islamabad, Pakistan
Military chiefs from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have held urgent talks in Riyadh to discuss ways of supporting the kingdom under the recently established Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA). The meeting comes amid heightened security tensions and continued attacks linked to the conflict in Yemen.
Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Türkiye’s Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, and Saudi Arabia’s Chief of General Staff General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili took part in the meeting.
Meeting Comes Amid Rising Regional Tensions
The talks were convened after foreign ministers from the three countries discussed the situation on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. They agreed to bring together their military chiefs to examine ways of assisting Riyadh under the defence agreement.
The discussions come as Saudi Arabia faces an increase in missile and drone attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement. Saudi authorities have reported interceptions of missiles and issued warnings for several areas, including the vicinity of Makkah.
The latest military meeting therefore represents an early test of how the newly established trilateral defence framework could operate during a regional security crisis.
What Is the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement?
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, 2026. A central provision of the agreement states that an attack against one member is to be considered an attack against all three members.
The agreement aims to strengthen collective security, defence coordination and deterrence among the three countries.
The alliance has also begun developing its institutional structure. Pakistan was selected to host the agreement’s secretariat in Riyadh, while retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood was appointed as its first secretary general.
Pakistan Reaffirms Commitment to Saudi Security
Pakistan has repeatedly expressed its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security. Pakistani officials have said Islamabad would support the kingdom’s security and sovereignty under the framework of the defence agreement.
At the same time, officials from the three countries have emphasized international law, respect for sovereignty, freedom of navigation and efforts toward de-escalation and peaceful resolution of regional conflicts.
Türkiye Also Signals Defence Cooperation
Türkiye has separately indicated its readiness to assist Saudi Arabia with military and technical requirements under the Makkah agreement. Turkish officials have stressed that the pact is intended to strengthen collective defence rather than replace existing international alliances.
The latest meeting could therefore become an important step in determining how the three countries coordinate their military capabilities and respond to future security threats.
What Happens Next?
No detailed decisions from the military chiefs’ meeting were immediately released. The three countries are continuing work on the committees, working groups and secretariat established under the Makkah agreement.
As tensions around Saudi Arabia and Yemen continue, attention will remain on whether the trilateral pact leads to additional defence cooperation, technical assistance, joint planning or other measures to strengthen Saudi security.
For Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, the meeting marks an important stage in putting the newly signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement into practice while the region faces continuing security challenges.
