Makkah Defence Alliance Aims to Strengthen Regional Stability, Saudi Crown Prince Says
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — WEB DESK: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said the Makkah Defence Alliance between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye is aimed at strengthening regional stability and protecting the region from the consequences of growing tensions and conflicts.
The crown prince made the remarks while delivering the annual royal address on behalf of King Salman bin Abdulaziz at the opening of the third year of the ninth session of Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council.
Mohammed bin Salman said the trilateral defence alliance was established to strengthen regional stability, coordinate efforts among the three countries and help shield the region from the repercussions of conflicts.
The Makkah Mutual Defence Agreement was signed by Mohammed bin Salman, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Makkah on August 7.
The Saudi crown prince also highlighted broader security challenges facing the Gulf, saying recent attacks targeting Gulf Cooperation Council states demonstrated that Gulf security and stability were indivisible.
He said Saudi Arabia was working with other GCC countries to safeguard regional security while strengthening strategic cooperation and joint Gulf action.
At the same time, Mohammed bin Salman stressed that Riyadh was pursuing efforts to reduce regional escalation and support diplomatic solutions without compromising the kingdom’s security.
He warned that Saudi Arabia would respond firmly to threats or attacks against its security, while saying the kingdom possessed the human and military capabilities required to confront and deter threats.
The crown prince also highlighted the establishment of a multinational defensive maritime coalition aimed at strengthening maritime security and protecting shared interests in international waterways.
He rejected the use of international sea lanes as instruments of political or economic pressure, underscoring the importance of protecting critical maritime routes.
His remarks come as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye move towards deeper practical cooperation under the Makkah Defence Alliance. Military chiefs from the three countries recently held talks in Riyadh and expressed their intention to translate commitments under the alliance into effective military cooperation.
Pakistan has described the trilateral framework as defensive in nature and focused primarily on regional security through deterrence. The three countries are currently working to consolidate cooperation under the alliance.
