Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan are planning a defense agreement
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan plan to sign a joint defense agreement in Jeddah on Friday. Euronews reports this, citing sources close to the Saudi military and government who spoke to AFP.
To finalize the agreement, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are scheduled to meet in the Red Sea coastal city to finalize the agreement.
Sharif and Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Asim Munir arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday. Their visit will last until Saturday, and the Pakistani Foreign Ministry reported that it is scheduled for August 6–8. According to the Turkish presidential administration, Erdogan was scheduled to arrive in Jeddah on Friday.
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One of AFP’s sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the agreement had been under discussion for some time, but recent events in the region had accelerated the process. Another source close to the Saudi Arabian government also confirmed to the agency that the document is set to be signed on Friday.
The signing is planned amid escalating military tensions in the region, particularly the conflict between the U.S. and Iran. According to Euronews, this conflict has drawn in the Gulf states and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stated that the visit is taking place amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf, but its significance will extend beyond the current crisis and short-term considerations. For several months, there have been speculations about a possible strategic alliance between the three countries. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have already announced a joint defense pact to take effect in 2025.
