Syria Weighs Entry Into Mecca Defence Pact as Regional Tensions Rise

Syrian government officials are evaluating whether to join the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, a move that would bind Damascus to a mutual security framework with Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan. Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani confirmed that discussions are currently active at the Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain.

The pact, signed in August in the Saudi city of Mecca, operates on a principle similar to NATO: an attack on any one member is treated as an attack on all. For Syria, joining the alliance would provide a formalized security guarantee from three major regional and global powers while deepening its military ties with Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia is currently facing escalating pressure from Yemen’s Houthi rebels, an Iran-backed group that has launched frequent attacks. Pakistan and Turkiye have pledged military support to Riyadh under the agreement, though neither capital has yet announced direct military operations against the Houthis. Turkish officials noted that ratification of the pact is still in progress and that any future support would not necessarily involve deploying Turkish troops to fight in Yemen.

Al-Shaibani described Syria as an integral part of regional security, stating that the area is in greater need than ever of joint deterrence systems. He emphasized that Damascus supports the Saudi-backed Yemeni government’s efforts to restore sovereignty and stability across its territory. The minister urged all parties to respect the unity and sovereignty of states in the region.

The foreign minister also addressed ongoing tensions with Israel, noting that the country has carried out more than 1,000 attacks on Syria in less than two years. These strikes have resulted in the deaths of dozens of people. Al-Shaibani questioned how calls for strict border control and state-only weapons management can be justified while Syrian sovereignty is being violated on a daily basis.

The decision to join the Mecca pact will likely influence regional defense budgets and military procurement strategies. By aligning with the Saudi-led bloc, Syria would integrate its defense planning with its primary economic backer, President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government, which came to power after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.