The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye agreed Monday to move immediately toward implementing collective defense commitments under the Makkah Alliance for Defense, including measures to provide and rapidly deploy agreed military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia.
The decision was made during an emergency meeting of the
alliance’s Strategic-Political and Defense Committee in Riyadh on Oct. 5,
according to a joint statement issued by the three countries.
The meeting was convened to address security developments
and threats facing Saudi Arabia, including what the countries described as
attempted attacks targeting the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah and
continuing attacks against Saudi cities and civilian and economic facilities.
The three countries condemned the attacks and reaffirmed
their rejection of any threat to Saudi Arabia’s security and territorial
integrity.
As part of efforts to strengthen the alliance’s
institutional structure, the committee appointed retired Pakistani Lt. Gen.
Nauman Mahmood as its first secretary-general for a three-year term.
The three countries welcomed Mahmood’s appointment and
expressed confidence that he would contribute to advancing the alliance and
achieving its objectives.
Pakistan and Türkiye praised the readiness of Saudi Arabia’s
armed forces and their response to what the statement described as threats and
attacks against the kingdom.
The committee reviewed the outcomes of political and
military consultations held before the meeting and approved recommendations
presented to it, saying the Makkah Alliance represents a commitment to
collective defense and a unified response to threats.
The countries said the agreed military forces and
capabilities would be provided and deployed in accordance with approved
arrangements and each country’s national laws.
They said the measures are intended to strengthen military
readiness, integration and the alliance’s collective ability to counter
threats.
The three countries also reaffirmed that the security of
each member is part of the collective security of all three and said
implementation of the Makkah Agreement for Joint Defense would strengthen
deterrence and demonstrate their commitment to defending their security,
sovereignty and territorial integrity.
