Syria Considers Joining Saudi-Led Mecca Defence Pact with Pakistan and Turkiye

Syria is currently evaluating its potential entry into a mutual defence pact alongside Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan, according to the nation's Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shaibani. He stated at the Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain on Saturday that "Discussions are currently under way to evaluate Syria’s entry into the Mecca alliance." The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, established in August by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan, stipulates that an attack on any one signatory is considered an attack on all, drawing comparisons to NATO. Saudi Arabia, a significant supporter of the Syrian government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, is facing increased pressure from Yemen's Houthis. Under the terms of the Mecca pact, Pakistan and Turkiye have committed military support to Riyadh amidst escalating attacks from the Iran-backed group, although neither country has yet engaged in direct conflict with the Houthis. Turkish officials have indicated that any future military assistance to Riyadh would not involve deploying troops to Yemen or attacking the Houthis, as the pact's ratification process is ongoing in Turkiye. Minister al-Shaibani emphasized Syria's role as an "integral" component of regional security and expressed support for any initiatives aimed at bolstering regional stability, highlighting the urgent need for joint deterrence and defence systems. Syrian state media reported that al-Shaibani also affirmed Syria's backing for the Yemeni government's efforts to restore sovereignty and stability while combating the Houthis, and called for respect for the unity and sovereignty of all states. In a separate statement, the minister highlighted that Israel had conducted over 1,000 attacks on Syria in under two years, resulting in numerous casualties, and questioned the justification for border control and state-controlled weaponry when Syrian sovereignty is consistently violated.