Second Makkah Defence Pact Meeting Takes Place in Riyadh Today
Pakistan’s delegation is expected to include Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
The Strategic Political and Defence Committee of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye will hold its second meeting in Riyadh on Monday, following its inaugural meeting in Istanbul on August 31.
The meeting is expected to bring together the foreign and defence ministers as well as senior military leadership of the three countries as the trilateral alliance moves forward with its institutionalisation process and coordination on regional security.
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar will participate in the meeting alongside Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, joining their counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
The meeting comes amid heightened regional security concerns and follows an emergency meeting of the military chiefs of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye in Riyadh on September 25, held amid Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. During the meeting, the three military chiefs condemned attacks targeting Makkah and civilian and economic infrastructure and agreed to strengthen intelligence sharing, coordination and capability integration under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
Türkiye Announces High-Level Participation
Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yasar Guler and Chief of the General Staff General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu would attend the meeting of the pact’s Strategic Political and Defence Committee alongside officials from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
“The meeting will address recent developments in the region and the stage reached in the Alliance’s institutionalization efforts,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.
According to Türkiye’s official Anadolu Agency, citing Turkish Foreign Ministry sources, Ankara is expected to present its vision for the institutionalisation of the alliance and its future steps during the Riyadh meeting.
The Turkish side will also present its assessment of threats to peace and stability in the Middle East and underline the progress achieved by the alliance within a short period as an important factor towards lasting regional stability.
Türkiye is also expected to reiterate its support for Saudi Arabia in the face of Houthi attacks.
From Istanbul to Riyadh
Istanbul hosted the first meeting of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement’s Strategic Political and Defence Committee on August 31, bringing together the foreign and defence ministers and military chiefs of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
During the meeting, the three countries reaffirmed their determination to work together under the Makkah agreement to achieve sustainable peace and stability in the region. They also agreed to continue supporting de-escalation and restraint while encouraging peaceful solutions to regional crises.
The military leadership of the three countries later held an emergency meeting in Riyadh on September 25 amid Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
The three military chiefs condemned attacks targeting Makkah as well as civilian and economic infrastructure and agreed to strengthen intelligence sharing, coordination and capability integration under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
The latest Riyadh meeting therefore comes after a series of high-level political, defence and military consultations among the three countries as they move ahead with implementation of the agreement.
Regional Developments on Agenda
Monday’s meeting comes amid rapidly evolving security developments in the Middle East.
The leader of Yemen’s Saudi-backed government announced on Sunday the beginning of a major military operation against the Iran-backed Houthis aimed at retaking territory under their control.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday last week that Iran had proposed political engagement with Yemen’s Houthis following attacks by the group, adding that the proposal would be discussed by the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement committee during its meeting in Riyadh.
The latest regional developments, along with the alliance’s institutionalisation process and future course, are expected to form a key part of Monday’s discussions.
