The meeting was convened by Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, alongside the chiefs of general staff from Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. According to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the participants reviewed the regional security situation and the specific threats facing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The session took place against the backdrop of heightened security concerns, including renewed fighting between Yemen’s Houthis and the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
The Houthis have declared a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabia, attacking shipping in the Red Sea and carrying out strikes on targets within Saudi territory in recent weeks. In response, the military chiefs strongly condemned attacks targeting the holy city of Makkah, as well as civilian and economic infrastructure. They affirmed their commitment to the security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia, describing the partnership as a demonstration of resolve to defend the kingdom.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed by the three nations on August 7, 2026, in Makkah, establishes that an armed attack against any one of the three countries is considered an attack against all. The pact also mandates closer defense cooperation, including coordination and joint military exercises, and the establishment of political and military mechanisms involving defense and foreign ministers. Following the first meeting of its Strategic Political and Defence Committee in Istanbul on August 31, the arrangement was formally renamed the Makkah Joint Defence Alliance.
Operational preparations for the alliance are advancing rapidly. Türkiye has indicated that the alliance’s secretariat will be based in Riyadh, with Pakistan providing the first secretary-general for an initial three-year term. Pakistan appointed retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood to this position earlier this week. Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman welcomed the outcomes of the chiefs of staff meeting, stating that he and Field Marshal Munir discussed the recent attacks and affirmed continued joint efforts to confront them in accordance with the agreement.
The Riyadh meeting followed recent diplomatic engagements, including talks between the three countries’ foreign ministers in New York. While the current focus is on supporting Riyadh, the alliance may eventually expand beyond its three founding members. Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus suggested that the arrangement could develop into a broader security framework for the Muslim world, noting that Iran could potentially join. Kurtulmus emphasized that Türkiye does not view the alliance as being directed against Iran. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also supported Iran’s possible inclusion in a broader regional security framework, suggesting Tehran’s participation could contribute to regional stability.
The military chiefs commended the Saudi armed forces for their vigilance and professionalism in protecting the country’s population. The ISPR stated that the Riyadh meeting reflected the strength of the defence partnership among the three nations and their shared determination to implement the commitments of the tripartite defence agreement. No specific military deployments or joint exercises have been announced as an immediate result of the Friday meeting, but the framework for rapid coordination has been established.
