Mecca agreement broadens Türkiye’s regional defense ties
This handout photograph taken and released by the Turkish Presidency press office on Aug. 7, 2026, shows President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan shaking hands with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (2nd R) looks on after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca.
Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement on Aug. 7, committing the three countries to regard an armed attack against one as an attack against all.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the agreement at Safa Palace in Mecca following official talks.
“The agreement aims to strengthen collective deterrence against all forms of aggression and stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all,” a joint statement said.
