Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Syria considers joining Mecca defence pact
Syria is considering whether to join the Mecca defence alliance that binds Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said on Saturday.
“Discussions are currently underway to evaluate Syria's entry into the Mecca alliance,” al-Shaibani said at the Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed the pact in Mecca in August. The agreement says an attack on one country is to be considered an attack on all three.
The remarks come as Saudi Arabia seeks support against escalating attacks attributed by AFP to Yemen's Houthis, including a major strike that closed Riyadh's international airport for two weeks this month. Pakistan and Turkey have not announced any attacks on the Houthis.
French President Emmanuel Macron visited Riyadh earlier this month and said France had sent troops to help shield a key Saudi oil terminal from Houthi attacks. The UK government also announced in October that it would deploy British fighter planes to help Saudi Arabia against the attacks.
Saudi Arabia is a key backer of Syria's government, which came to power after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Update
The Mecca alliance binds Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in a defence pact signed in August.
The pact says an attack on one member is to be considered an attack on all three.
The comments were made at the Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain.
Saudi Arabia has been seeking support after escalating attacks attributed in the item to Yemen's Houthis.
France and the UK have announced military support to help Saudi Arabia against the attacks.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 October 2026 at 10:00:57 UTC.
Update
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said discussions are underway to evaluate Syria's entry into the Mecca alliance.
He made the comments at the IISS Manama Dialogue event in Bahrain.
The Mecca alliance binds Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in a Nato-style defence pact.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 October 2026 at 09:36:43 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The supplied material does not say whether Syria has made a decision on joining the pact.
The supplied material does not state what conditions, if any, would apply to Syria joining the alliance.
Source
AFP news report published on .