WEBDESK - NAYADAUR
The military chiefs of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have strongly condemned attacks targeting the holy city of Makkah and Saudi civilian and economic infrastructure, as the three countries moved to translate their recently signed collective defense pact into practical military cooperation.
Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir joined Saudi Chief of General Staff Gen. Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili and Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu for the high-level meeting in Riyadh on Friday.
The meeting was held under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, or MJDA, and marked the first exclusive high-level military coordination among the three countries since the trilateral pact was signed in August.
According to Pakistan's military media wing, the commanders reviewed the security situation and threats facing Saudi Arabia and expressed strong opposition to attacks targeting Makkah as well as civilian and economic infrastructure.
The military chiefs also praised the Saudi armed forces for their vigilance and professionalism in protecting the Kingdom and its people.
Intelligence sharing and military coordination
A major focus of the Riyadh talks was how Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye could deepen operational cooperation.
The three sides discussed enhancing intelligence sharing, military coordination and capability integration to strengthen deterrence and collective defense.
They also said the Riyadh meeting reflected their longstanding ties and mutual trust, as well as a shared determination to “immediately translate” commitments under the Makkah agreement into effective military cooperation.
The commanders reaffirmed their commitment to collective defense and the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia.
No announcement was immediately made about specific troop deployments, military assistance or operational arrangements.
Makkah pact faces first major test
The Riyadh meeting carries particular significance because the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement contains a collective-defense provision stating that an armed attack against one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has described the agreement as defensive and said it is not directed against any particular country. The pact is based on the right of individual and collective self-defense recognized under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
The latest consultations come amid escalating Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia. Türkiye has already expressed readiness to help meet Saudi military requirements under the agreement, while Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to the Kingdom's defense.
The military talks followed consultations among the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye in New York, where the three governments discussed convening their military chiefs to explore assistance for Riyadh.
The three countries began formalizing their new defense framework after the agreement was signed in Makkah on Aug. 7. An inaugural Strategic Political and Defence Committee meeting was subsequently held in Istanbul to strengthen strategic coordination and defense cooperation.
The Riyadh talks now represent an important test of how that collective-defense commitment will operate when one of the three members faces sustained external attacks.