World · Middle East · 1 hr ago
Syria weighs joining defence pact with Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said Syria is discussing joining the Mecca defence pact at a conference in Bahrain.
The agreement currently links Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, and says an attack on one member counts as an attack on all.
It was signed in August as Saudi Arabia faced attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group.
Saudi Arabia supports Syria’s government, which took power after Bashar al-Assad fell in December 2024.
Al-Shaibani said Syria sees regional security as tied to its own and backs cooperation on defence and deterrence.
No decision on Syria joining has been announced, and the pact is not currently being used in Yemen.
The discussions matter because joining would bring Syria into a mutual defence framework with three regional powers.
Syria is discussing whether to join the Makkah defence pact, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said.
The agreement links Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan in a mutual defence commitment.
Al-Shaibani said Syria is part of regional security and would support organisations that protect it.
He spoke at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain on Saturday.
- Who
- Syria, represented by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, is discussing joining the pact.
- What
- Syria is evaluating or negotiating whether to join the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
- When
- October 31, 2026; al-Shaibani spoke on Saturday.
- Where
- The discussions were described at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.
- Why
- Syria says regional security is part of its own security and supports cooperation in deterrence and defence.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
Iran-backed Houthis launched deadly attacks at several airports across Saudi Arabia.
Al-Shaibani said Syria was discussing whether to join the pact at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.
- Pact members
- Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan
- Pact signed
- August, in Mecca
- Defence commitment
- An attack on one member is considered an attack on all three
- Talks location
- Manama Dialogue, Bahrain
- Syrian foreign minister
- Asaad al-Shaibani
3 sources
What people are saying
Discussions are currently under way to evaluate Syria’s entry into the Mecca alliance
in greater need than ever
Syria is part of the security of this region and it'll stand by any organisation that protects the security of this area