ع
The first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement convened in Istanbul on August 31, 2026, producing concrete steps to build the alliance’s institutional framework. Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, who led his country’s delegation, stated that the kingdom affirmed its commitment “to moving forward with implementing the agreement’s various tracks in a way that strengthens joint political and defence integration, and supports security and stability”. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who hosted the gathering, announced afterward that the pact would be known as the Makkah Defence Alliance with its secretariat based in Riyadh and its first secretary general drawn from Pakistan. The participants reviewed a range of issues including international security developments and mechanisms for closer coordination.
The agreement was signed on August 7, 2026, in Makkah by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to a joint statement issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It includes a collective defence clause specifying that an armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all, similar to NATO’s Article 5. The pact further provides for the enhancement of defence cooperation in multiple domains to promote peace, security and stability across the region. A Turkish Foreign Ministry readout described the August 7 signing as grounded in the nations’ longstanding historical, brotherly and strategic ties.
Fidan told reporters following the committee session that the meeting had launched the process of establishing a new regional security and cooperation architecture. He emphasised that the alliance was not directed against any specific country and that preparations were under way for a roadmap that could allow future expansion under defined conditions. Discussions during the closed-door meeting addressed boosting interoperability among the armed forces, deepening collaboration in defence industries including research and development, and intensifying joint counter-terrorism efforts, according to Turkish officials briefed on the agenda.
The Saudi delegation comprised Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Chief of General Staff Gen. Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili in addition to Prince Khalid bin Salman. Turkey was represented by Defence Minister Yasar Guler and Chief of General Staff Gen. Selcuk Bayraktaroglu while Pakistan sent Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Field Marshal Asim Munir. On the margins of the committee meeting, Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a separate discussion with Fidan focused on bilateral relations and the latest regional developments, a Saudi Press Agency dispatch indicated.
The committee itself was created to furnish strategic oversight for all activities under the agreement and to oversee the creation of supporting bodies such as a general secretariat. Fidan characterised the inaugural session as a historic step that would reduce uncertainty and contribute to greater stability in the region. The three countries have agreed to continue meetings at this level to translate the pact’s provisions into operational cooperation across political and military tracks.
