Makkah Defense Alliance to deploy swiftly joint military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH — An emergency meeting of the Strategic-Political and Defense Committee of the Makkah Alliance for Defense, comprising Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye, has resolved to immediately activate the practical implementation of collective defense commitments and take all necessary measures to deploy the agreed military forces and capabilities swiftly in Saudi Arabia. The decision, in accordance with the approved arrangements and the national legislation of the parties, is aimed at strengthening readiness, deepening military integration, and reinforcing the collective capacity to confront and counter threats. The committee held its emergency meeting in Riyadh on Monday to address the security developments and threats facing Saudi Arabia. As part of the institutional development of the Makkah Alliance for Defense, the committee decided to appoint Rtd. Lt. Gen. Nauman Mahmood of Pakistan as the first secretary general for a three-year term. The parties welcomed Lt. Gen. Nauman Mahmood, wished him every success in the discharge of his duties, and expressed their confidence in his contribution to advancing the alliance and achieving its objectives.The meeting condemned in the strongest terms the attemptedtargeting of Makkah and Madinah, as well as the continuing attacks targeting cities and civilian and economic facilities in the Kingdom, reaffirming their unequivocal rejection of any attack or threat against the Kingdom’s security and territorial integrity.Pakistan and Türkiye commended the vigilance and readiness of the Saudi Armed Forces, as well as the professionalism and high level of competence they have demonstrated in countering the threats and attacks facing the Kingdom and in safeguarding its security and territorial integrity. The committee reviewed the outcomes of the political and military consultations preceding the meeting and approved the recommendations submitted to it, affirming that the Makkah Alliance for Defense embodies a firm commitment to collective defense and a unified position in confronting threats.The three countries affirmed that the security of each partyis an integral part of the collective security of the three countries, and that translating the Makkah Agreement for Joint Defense into practical measures demonstrates the credibility of the commitment to collective defense, strengthens the effectiveness of deterrence, and reaffirms the unity and determination of three countries to defend their security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, in accordance with the provisions of the agreement.