Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan are coming together in Jeddah on Friday to sign a joint defence agreement, sources close to the Saudi military and government revealed to AFP.
The move comes amid a rise in wars, conflicts and military tensions in the region, specifically the war between the United States and Iran, which has drawn in Gulf states and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
"It was under discussion for a long time, but the latest developments in the region expedite it," the source said on condition of anonymity.
A second source close to the Saudi government also confirmed, on condition of anonymity, that the agreement would be signed on Friday.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is due to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the Red Sea city.
