The Makkah Joint Defense AgreementMakkah Joint Defense Agreement was concluded between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey on August 7, 2026. The presidents of the three nations signed the agreement in Makkah. Its core concept is “collective defense,” meaning an attack on any one member would be considered an attack on all three. This agreement is modeled as NATO’s mutual defense system.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip ErdoğanRecep Tayyip Erdoğan has expressed hope that more Muslim nations will soon join the agreement. The pact aims to strengthen regional security and cooperation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said its purpose is to support peace, progress and stability rather than aggression against another country.
The agreement has received support from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Countries including Kuwait, Bahrain and Somalia have also welcomed the development, while Iran has responded positively to the idea of regional countries working together on security.
Erdogan said the agreement should not remain limited to the three founding countries. He expressed hope that suitable conditions could allow other countries in the region to join the framework in the future.
The pact comes at a time of serious security concerns across the Middle East. Regional tensions have affected shipping routes and raised concerns about wider conflict, making defence cooperation more important for several countries.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement could therefore become more than a three-country partnership if additional nations join. For now, the focus remains on building cooperation between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye and developing the agreement’s practical framework.