Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, along with National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and Chief of General Staff Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, are in Riyadh to participate in a pivotal meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee of the Mecca Joint Defense Alliance. This alliance, formed by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan in August 2026, aims to bolster regional security and defense collaboration.
The meeting takes place against a backdrop of increased tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement in Yemen. Minister Fidan is anticipated to reaffirm Türkiye’s support for Saudi Arabia and address various regional security threats, which include attacks on Saudi territory and concerns related to the security of sacred sites and civilian infrastructure.
A significant focus of the discussions is the institutional development of the alliance. Plans are underway to establish a permanent secretariat and a military headquarters in Riyadh, with personnel assignments expected once these preparations are finalized. The future structure of the alliance, regional security challenges, and the protection of international trade routes are also key topics on the agenda.
The alliance, under the Mecca agreement, advocates for a cooperative regional defense framework, rather than forming a bloc against external powers. Türkiye has suggested the possibility of expanding the alliance to include more regional members in the future.