Turkey Clarifies Mecca Defense Pact Is Non-Targeting and Not a NATO Alternative

The Turkish Ministry of Defense clarified that the "Mecca Collective Defense Agreement" signed between Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia establishes a defense framework aimed at bolstering military cooperation across the Middle East and Asia. In an official statement, the ministry emphasized that this tripartite arrangement does not serve as a replacement for NATO nor does it target any specific country. Instead, its primary focus is to enhance defensive coordination and provide mutual military support during crises. The ministry added that the pact remains open to future accessions to broaden regional defense collaboration.