Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Asim Munir Could Lead 'Islamic Nato' Under Mecca Agreement
Three countries — Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey — have made an agreement called the Mecca Agreement.
It is like a team where the countries promise to help protect each other, a bit like the NATO group of countries does.
Turkey said the new team will be run by the top army leaders of all three countries.
The army leader of Pakistan, Asim Munir, might become the team's main commander.
People are calling this possible job the 'Islamic Nato' commander.
The countries will also have their defence and foreign ministers working together to run things.
They plan to hold joint military exercises together, which are big training drills.
The team's main office, called a secretariat, will be set up in Saudi Arabia.
This story is still developing, so more details may come later.
Turkey's Defence Ministry said the Mecca Agreement will set up a governing body comprising the military chiefs of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir could become the de facto or de jure commander of the 'Islamic Nato' alliance.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is technically similar to NATO's Article 5 collective defence clause.
The alliance's mechanisms will include the three countries' defence ministers, foreign ministers, and military chiefs, along with joint military exercises.
A general secretariat for the alliance will be established in Saudi Arabia, according to the Turkish Defence Ministry via Reuters.
- Who
- Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir, Turkey's Defence Ministry, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and the governments of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
- What
- Establishment of a governing body of military chiefs to run the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Turkey alliance under the Mecca Agreement, with Asim Munir potentially serving as its 'Islamic Nato' commander.
- When
- Announced on a Thursday, per the Turkish Defence Ministry; the article gives no specific date.
- Where
- Turkey (announcement); the alliance's secretariat is to be based in Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- To manage a collective defence arrangement under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which Turkey compares to NATO's Article 5.
- Alliance members
- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey
- Agreement name
- Mecca Agreement (Makkah Joint Defence Agreement)
- Governing body
- Military chiefs of the three countries, plus defence and foreign ministers
- NATO comparison
- Technically similar to NATO's Article 5 collective defence clause, per Hakan Fidan
- Secretariat location
- Saudi Arabia
- Joint military exercises
- Planned under the Mecca Agreement framework
- Reported by
- Reuters, citing the Turkish Defence Ministry