Summary Riyadh meeting approves measures to strengthen readiness and military integration
RIYADH (Zeeshan Yousafzai) – Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye have taken a major step towards operationalising the Makkah Alliance for Defence, agreeing to immediately implement their collective defence commitments and arrange the rapid deployment of agreed military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia.
The decision was taken during an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee of the Makkah Alliance for Defence in Riyadh on Monday. The committee reviewed the outcomes of political and military consultations held ahead of the meeting and approved recommendations aimed at strengthening the alliance's collective response to regional security threats.
The joint statement issued by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the three countries had decided to take the necessary measures to provide the agreed military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment in the Kingdom.
PR No./ Joint Statement: Emergency Meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee of the Makkah Alliance for Defence, Riyadh -5 October, 2026 https://t.co/ynFYzqILzc
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 5, 2026
Forces for Saudi Arabia
According to the statement, the deployment will take place in accordance with approved arrangements and the national legislation of the three participating countries.
The move is intended to enhance military readiness and integration while increasing the collective capacity of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye to confront and counter threats.
The decision marks a shift towards practical implementation of the collective defence commitments established through the Makkah Agreement for Joint Defence. The three countries said the security of each party forms an integral part of their collective security.
The statement said translating the agreement into practical measures demonstrates their commitment to collective defence, strengthens deterrence and reaffirms their determination to protect their security, sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with the agreement.
The announcement follows mounting security concerns in Saudi Arabia, including attacks targeting cities and civilian and economic infrastructure.
The committee condemned what it described as attempted targeting of Makkah and Madinah, along with continuing attacks against Saudi territory. The three countries reaffirmed their rejection of any attack or threat against the Kingdom's security and territorial integrity.
Riyadh meeting
Pakistan and Turkiye also commended the vigilance and readiness of the Saudi Armed Forces, highlighting what they described as their professionalism and high level of competence in countering threats and attacks and protecting the Kingdom's security and territorial integrity.
The emergency session brought together senior political and military officials from the three countries under the Strategic Political and Defence Committee.
The meeting also advanced the institutional development of the alliance. The committee appointed Pakistan's Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood (Ret.) as its first Secretary-General for a three-year term, according to the joint statement. The three parties welcomed his appointment and expressed confidence in his role in advancing the alliance and its objectives.
The Makkah Alliance was established by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye as a framework for collective defence and closer security cooperation. Its latest meeting in Riyadh focused on turning those commitments into practical arrangements as the three countries respond to the security developments facing the Kingdom.
The committee's decision requires the agreed capabilities to be made available and deployed rapidly in Saudi Arabia, subject to the approved arrangements and each country's national legislation. The move also places greater emphasis on military integration and coordinated readiness as the alliance develops its operational framework.
