Saudi Arabia Joins Turkey and Pakistan in Defense Pact Amid Regional Tensions

Last Friday, Turkey officially joined an existing mutual defense and assistance agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, forming a new trilateral security pact. Despite much discussion, the original Saudi-Pakistani agreement had never been activated during the ongoing conflict involving Saudi Arabia, which faces attacks from Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen and Shiite militias in Iraq. Pakistan, despite its proximity to Iran, has not provided military support to Saudi Arabia in this war. Similarly, Turkey has a separate security pact with Qatar, also unutilized despite Iranian threats to Qatar.

Saudi Arabia currently confronts a dual threat: from the south by the Houthis in Yemen and from the north by Shiite militias in Iraq, near its vital energy infrastructure. In response, Riyadh has taken three strategic steps: conducting joint airstrikes with the US against militia targets inside Iraq and Yemen, initiating a regional naval coalition to secure shipping lanes and break the Houthi blockade in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and formalizing Turkey’s inclusion in the Saudi-Pakistan defense pact. Turkey contributes advanced military technology and drones, Pakistan provides ground military depth, and Saudi Arabia finances the alliance.

The naval coalition, launched in late July with 14 core countries including Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, and Djibouti, aims to secure critical maritime routes without direct US involvement. Saudi Arabia appointed Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri to command the joint naval force, with an operational planning summit scheduled for mid-August in Riyadh.

Analysts suggest Turkey’s involvement is motivated more by strategic interests in gaining a foothold in the Red Sea corridor than by a genuine intent to confront Iran militarily. Both Turkey and Pakistan are unlikely to engage directly against Iran to maintain their mediator roles and avoid aligning openly with Israel. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia seeks to deter Iranian attacks on its infrastructure and break the maritime siege.

From the US perspective, Saudi Arabia leads ground operations with American intelligence support but limited direct intervention. Riyadh’s need for alternative regional alliances reflects a perceived US reluctance to fully back Saudi defense. The trilateral pact also raises concerns for Israel, as it could exclude Israel from emerging Arab coalitions and potentially challenge US-Israeli strategic interests. Experts recommend Israel strengthen ties with India, the UAE, Jordan, and Greece as a counterbalance.

In conclusion, the Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan agreement is primarily a deterrence maneuver and a strategic gain for Turkey rather than a decisive military alliance against Iran. While Saudi Arabia and Israel share a common interest in countering Iran, ideological and theological differences within the new bloc could pose long-term risks. Israel is advised to monitor developments closely and consider formalizing its own regional defense partnerships to shape the post-conflict landscape.