Pakistan leads Makkah Defence Alliance

Pakistan’s retired Lt Gen Nauman Mahmood has been appointed as the first secretary general of the Makkah Defence Alliance, with its secretariat based in Riyadh. The appointment follows a meeting of the military chiefs from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye in the Saudi capital on Friday, September 25, 2026, to advance cooperation under the new pact.

Military leaders pledged to implement the alliance's commitments immediately. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated the meeting showed a shared determination to "immediately translate their commitments under the Makkah Defence Alliance into effective military cooperation." The chiefs also condemned attacks on Saudi infrastructure.

Context

The alliance was formalised through the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by the three nations in Makkah on August 7, 2026. This pact commits them to mutual defence, treating an armed attack against one as an attack against all. It provides for closer defence cooperation, including stronger coordination and joint military exercises. The three sides agreed to establish political and military mechanisms involving their defence and foreign ministers and military chiefs.

The first meeting of the alliance's Strategic Political and Defence Committee was held in Istanbul on August 31. There, it was decided to establish a permanent secretariat in Riyadh, with Pakistan providing the secretary general for the first three-year term.

Developments

The Riyadh meeting brought together Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, with the chiefs of general staff of Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. They reviewed the security situation and threats facing Saudi Arabia. Participants strongly condemned attacks targeting the holy city of Makkah.

The ISPR said the gathering reflected the strength of the defence partnership. Participants commended the longstanding relations and mutual trust between the three countries and their armed forces. They praised the vigilance of the Saudi Armed Forces. The goal is to bolster deterrence and collective defence.

Measures to advance cooperation were discussed. These include enhanced intelligence sharing, military coordination, and integration of capabilities. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to collective defence and their resolve to defend the security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia.

Broader Implications

Turkish officials have suggested the alliance could evolve into a wider Muslim security framework. Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus said on Friday that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement could eventually become a broader security arrangement for the Muslim world. He added that Turkiye did not view the agreement as being directed against Iran.

This comes amid international diplomacy on regional security. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov backed Iran's inclusion in a broader regional security framework, stating Tehran's participation could contribute to regional stability. The possibility of expanding the alliance beyond the three founding members has been raised.

The alliance’s first secretary general will begin work from the Riyadh-based General Secretariat to implement the commitments under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.