Syria Weighs Joining Mecca Defense Pact

The Syrian government is analyzing the possibility of joining the mutual defense pact formed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. The announcement was made by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani during the Manama Dialogue conference held in Bahrain.

The so-called Mecca Joint Defense Agreement was signed in August. The treaty establishes that an attack against any member country is considered an aggression against all group members. This military cooperation structure is compared to the NATO alliance.

Saudi Arabia seeks to strengthen its security in the face of attacks carried out by the Houthis in Yemen. The Syrian government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, maintains close ties with Riyadh. The Syrian foreign minister stated that the country is an integral part of regional security and supports joint deterrence mechanisms.

Turkish authorities emphasized that the ratification of the pact is ongoing. The Turkish government has already clarified that the military commitment does not involve sending troops to fight directly in Yemen. Syria also advocates for the restoration of the sovereignty of the internationally recognized Yemeni government.

The Syrian minister criticized frequent attacks carried out by Israel against Syrian territory over the last two years. He questioned the viability of arms controls while the country's sovereignty suffers constant violations. The Damascus government seeks support to ensure stability amid current conflicts.