Mecca joint defense pact is defensive, not offensive: analyst

Political analyst Bashar Jarrar said the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement is equivalent to Article 5 of the NATO Charter, meaning it is a defensive, not offensive, pact.

In an interview with Al Arabiya, he added that US support for the Mecca agreement is rooted in the longstanding Saudi-American partnership spanning eight decades, and reflects Washington’s recognition of Riyadh’s key role and strong defense ties.

Jarrar emphasized that the agreement is a defensive response, not an act of aggression, and has been under discussion for two years due to ongoing threats facing countries in the region. He noted the pact aims to foster a new Middle East and build fresh alliances with partners.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan recently announced the signing of a joint defense agreement to strengthen collective deterrence in the event any of the three nations is attacked. The agreement stipulates that an armed attack against one is considered an attack against all, and seeks to enhance all aspects of defense cooperation among the three countries.

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