Three major Muslim-majority nations have formalised a defence alliance that could reshape security dynamics across the Middle East and South Asia. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye signed a trilateral agreement in Mecca, with Pakistan's Foreign Ministry confirming that an armed attack on any one of the three would now be treated as an attack on all. Main Developments Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the agreement on Friday, framing it as a collective security commitment. The pact's language explicitly states that an armed attack against any of the three signatories would be regarded as an attack against them all, signalling a mutual defence obligation similar to NATO's Article 5. The signing took place in Mecca, where Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had arrived a day earlier alongside army chief Asim Munir. The delegation performed the Umrah pilgrimage before the ceremony, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan flew in on the same day to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Read also: Trump's Iran Escalation Trap: Surrender or Strike Al Jazeera's Osama Bin Javaid, reporting from Doha, described the pact as the beginning of a "different security architecture" in the region. He noted that it brings together three of the largest Muslim populations, each contributing distinct military strengths to the alliance. According to Javaid, Pakistan contributes its nuclear arsenal, battle-hardened military and existing munitions supplies, while Turkiye brings advanced drone and weapons systems as a NATO member. Saudi Arabia's role centres on its economic power, creating a complementary security triangle. Background The deal follows nearly a year of negotiations between the three capitals, building on decades of bilateral military cooperation. Pakistan has long provided training and technical assistance to Saudi forces, while Turkiye and Pakistan have exchanged warships and training aircraft. Riyadh and Ankara's defence relationship deepened in 2023 when Saudi Arabia agreed to purchase Turkish drones, a contract Ankara described as its largest defence export deal. The new trilateral framework formalises and expands these existing ties into a collective security arrangement. The signing comes against a backdrop of sustained conflict involving Iran. Saudi Arabia has been struck repeatedly by Iran, Houthi forces in Yemen and Shia armed groups in Iraq since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, according to the source. Why It Matters The conflict has imperilled Saudi Arabia's oil exports and its ambitious development plans, while raising serious questions about the reliability of the long-standing US security umbrella over the kingdom. This pact represents a tangible shift toward alternative security partnerships. Turkiye and Pakistan have avoided significant direct attacks so far, but both are anxious to calm regional conflicts threatening their security and economies. The agreement gives them a formal stake in each other's defence, potentially deterring future aggression. Al Jazeera's Resul Serdar Atas, reporting from Ankara, noted that while the deal is purely defensive, such agreements typically foster cooperation in other sectors. He pointed to expectations in Ankara that the pact will boost economic ties with both Riyadh and Islamabad. Choosing Mecca as the signing venue adds symbolic weight to the agreement, underscoring the Islamic identity that binds the three nations. The location signals that this is not merely a transactional military arrangement but a strategic alignment among key regional powers. What's Next The immediate focus will be on implementing the collective defence mechanism and determining how the three nations coordinate responses to potential threats. Questions remain about how the pact interacts with Turkiye's NATO obligations and Pakistan's existing defence relationships. Observers will watch for signs of expanded economic cooperation between the three countries, as Ankara anticipates. The coming months may also reveal whether the agreement leads to joint military exercises or shared defence procurement initiatives beyond the initial framework.