Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan are expected to sign a joint defence agreement in Jeddah on Friday, according to sources close to the Saudi government and military.
The reported agreement comes as regional security concerns intensify amid the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, which has also affected shipping routes across the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
Leaders Set for Jeddah Meeting
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the Red Sea city on Friday.
Sharif and Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday for a visit scheduled to continue through Saturday. Erdogan is also expected to travel to the kingdom, according to the Turkish presidency.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the prime minister’s visit is taking place from August 6 to 8.
Defence Cooperation Under Discussion
Sources familiar with the matter told AFP that discussions on the defence agreement had been underway for some time, but recent developments in the region accelerated efforts to finalise the pact.
The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to publicly discuss the agreement.
A second source close to the Saudi government also confirmed that the three countries were expected to sign the agreement on Friday.
Details of the proposed pact, including its precise scope and commitments, have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Regional Security Concerns
The reported agreement comes against a backdrop of heightened instability across the Middle East.
The conflict involving the United States and Iran has raised concerns over regional security and disrupted maritime traffic through key waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have maintained close political and security ties, and a formal defence arrangement could mark a significant development in cooperation between the three countries.
Houthi Attack Injures 11 in Saudi Arabia
The expected defence agreement also follows a Houthi attack in southern Saudi Arabia that reportedly injured 11 people late Thursday.
According to a statement from the Riyadh-led coalition carried by Saudi state media, the casualties included seven Saudis, two Egyptians, one Yemeni and one Pakistani.
The attack occurred in the Najran region near the border with Yemen, according to coalition spokesman General Turki al-Maliki.
The Houthis have intensified attacks in the region amid the wider conflict, increasing pressure on neighbouring countries and adding to concerns over regional stability.
The reported Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan defence agreement could therefore become an important development as regional powers seek to strengthen security coordination during a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
