The Sunni axis is arming itself: The Mecca defense alliance moves to the field
The defense agreement signed last week between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan is moving from the stage of declarations to implementation on the ground. The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced that the three countries will establish permanent political and military coordination mechanisms, turning the alliance into a coordinated operational force.
The defense agreement signed last week between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan is moving from the stage of declarations to implementation on the ground. The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced today (Thursday) that the three countries will establish permanent political and military coordination mechanisms, which will turn the alliance into a coordinated operational force. In practice, this move brings closer the establishment of a "joint headquarters" of defense ministers, foreign ministers, and army chiefs — a step that raises questions about the creation of a new regional axis and the escalation of tensions with Iran.
On August 7, the three countries signed the "Mecca Joint Defense Agreement," which connects Sunni allies of the USA against the backdrop of regional escalation, which led, among other things, to Iranian missile fire towards oil exporters in the Gulf. As part of the agreement, a significant clause was established stating that an attack against one of the countries will be considered an attack against all of them — a model similar to the collective defense clause of NATO.
In a weekly briefing held in Ankara, it was reported that the new mechanisms will include meetings and ongoing coordination between the defense ministers, foreign ministers, and army chiefs of the three countries. It was further noted that joint military exercises are planned, as well as broad cooperation that will include the joint production of weaponry and the sharing of advanced technologies in the defense industry. This situation creates a significant Sunni axis of power in the region in the face of the growing Iranian threat.
Beyond the military aspect, the establishment of an independent coordination mechanism indicates that the three countries, despite being allies of the USA, no longer rely exclusively on the American security umbrella. With this step, they are signaling that they choose to take their security destiny into their own hands and create a strong, independent Sunni axis of power, which will serve as a counterweight to Tehran's attempts to build up its power in the Middle East.
