Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan are set to sign a joint defense agreement. According to regional sources familiar with the negotiations, this move comes at a time of increasing tensions in the Middle East, as Gulf states face the security consequences of a conflict with Iran following attacks by the United States and Israel on that country.
The agreement will further deepen cooperation between these three major Sunni Muslim countries. However, the specific commitments of each country have not yet been disclosed. A Turkish official confirmed that the signing of the agreement is scheduled for Friday.
Turkey is a member of NATO, while Saudi Arabia is considered a key ally of the United States in the region and also one of the world's largest oil exporters. Pakistan is the only Muslim country with nuclear weapons.
The signing ceremony in Jeddah will be attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the commander of the Pakistani army, Asim Munir. They will meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The agreement is the result of nearly a year of negotiations. Reuters reported in January that preparations were underway for closer security cooperation between the three countries. The signing comes at a time when the conflict with Iran has highlighted the security vulnerabilities of Gulf states and has also disrupted the transportation of oil and other strategic goods through the Strait of Hormuz.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in January that Ankara supports the creation of a broader regional security platform to enhance mutual cooperation and stability.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan already have their own defense agreement. According to a previous statement by a Saudi official to Reuters, an attack on one of the countries is considered an attack on both, and all "military means" will be used.
Neither the Pakistani army nor the governments of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia has yet made any detailed statements regarding the new trilateral agreement.
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