Syria weighing whether to join Makkah pact: foreign minister
- In August this year, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye signed the defence pact in Makkah that states an attack on one country is to be considered an attack on all three
Syria is considering joining the Makkah defence alliance, a pact between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkiye, as Saudi Arabia seeks broader support against escalating Houthi attacks.
- Syria's evaluation of joining the Makkah defence pact.
- Saudi Arabia's efforts to rally support against Houthi attacks.
- International military assistance to Saudi Arabia from France and the UK.
MANAMA: Syria’s top diplomat on Saturday said Damascus was considering whether to join Makkah defence alliance that binds Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia.
“Discussions are currently underway to evaluate Syria’s entry into the Makkah alliance,” Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said at the Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain.
Saudi Arabia has been rallying support against escalating Houthi attacks, including a major strike that closed Riyadh’s international airport for two weeks this month.
In August, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye signed the defence pact in Makkah that states an attack on one country is to be considered an attack on all three.
Pakistan and Turkiye have not announced any attacks on Houthis.
Earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron made a surprise visit to Riyadh and said France had sent troops to help shield a key Saudi oil terminal from Houthi attacks.
Also in October, the UK government announced it would deploy British fighter planes to help Saudi Arabia against the attacks.