Saudi Arabia launches new defense alliance a week after the "Mecca Agreement"

Saudi Arabia announced that 13 countries have officially joined a multinational maritime defense alliance, marking its formal launch. The Saudi Ministry of Defense stated on the "X" platform that the third planning meeting for the alliance was held at its headquarters in Jeddah, with representatives from 39 nations in attendance.

The official statement noted: "Fifteen countries have signed the joint declaration, while 13 additional nations have completed their national procedures, signed the alliance charter, and officially announced their accession, marking the start of the alliance's institutional and operational phase." Other countries are reportedly continuing their national procedures to join.

On July 30, Saudi Arabia first announced plans to establish this multinational maritime defense alliance, aimed at protecting freedom of navigation in the Arabian Peninsula. The Ministry of Defense described the initiative as an international defense effort open to all countries that share its goals, intended to enhance collective maritime security, preserve global trade, and address common threats.

This alliance comes less than a week after the signing of the "Mecca Agreement." Under that pact, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey agreed that any attack on the territory of one participant would be considered an attack on all three. However, the alliance has already faced a reality check.

Since the agreement was signed, the Houthis have attacked an "Aramco" energy facility in the south of the kingdom. Neither Saudi Arabia nor Turkey has yet responded to this attack by the Iran-backed terrorist organization.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated in an interview in Saudi Arabia: "There is no doubt that the escalating tension between the USA and Iran poses a serious threat to regional developments. However, it would be a mistake to reduce the 'Mecca Agreement' to a mere situational response to this escalation." He emphasized that the agreement is not limited to countering Iranian actions.

In contrast, the Pakistani Foreign Minister, in a conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, clarified that the agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey is not offensive in nature and is not directed against Iran. He stated that the pact is intended to strengthen strategic cooperation and contribute to regional peace and security.

While the details of the initial defense agreement are still being finalized by senior officials, Saudi Arabia is already moving forward with the next pact to protect its maritime environment. It remains to be seen whether the kingdom will enjoy broad support this time or be left to face terror alone.