Syria considering entry into Mecca defence pact, says foreign minister
Syria is evaluating entry into a mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan, the country's foreign minister announced at a conference in Bahrain.
The Mecca pact, signed in August, operates on the principle that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all three, similar to NATO's collective defense mechanism. Saudi Arabia, facing escalating attacks from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, has become a key supporter of Syria's government, which came to power following the December 2024 fall of former leader Bashar al-Assad.
Regional Security Framework
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani emphasized Syria's role as an integral part of regional security during the Manama Dialogue conference. He stated that the region is in greater need than ever of developing joint deterrence and defense systems.
Discussions are currently under way to evaluate Syria's entry into the Mecca alliance
Military Support Limitations
While Pakistan and Turkiye have pledged military support to Saudi Arabia under the pact, Turkish officials have clarified that any future assistance would not include deploying troops to fight in Yemen or directly attack the Houthis. The ratification process for the pact continues in Turkiye.
Al-Shaibani also addressed Syria's sovereignty concerns, noting that Israel has conducted over 1,000 attacks on Syria in less than two years, resulting in dozens of casualties. He questioned how calls for border control could be justified while Syrian sovereignty remains violated daily.
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