Turkish officials, including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, and Chief of General Staff Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, are in Riyadh to participate in a significant meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee of the Mecca Joint Defense Alliance. This gathering comes as tensions rise between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement in Yemen.
The Mecca Joint Defense Alliance, formed in August 2026 by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, aims to enhance regional security and cooperation. During the meeting, Fidan is expected to reaffirm Türkiye’s backing for Saudi Arabia and address regional security threats, including attacks on Saudi territory and the safety of sacred sites and civilian infrastructure.
A key focus of the discussions is the alliance’s institutional development. The involved nations are working towards establishing a permanent secretariat and a military headquarters in Riyadh. Personnel assignments are anticipated once these preparations are finalized, marking a significant step in solidifying the alliance’s framework.
The meeting will also delve into future structural considerations for the alliance, tackling regional security challenges and ensuring freedom of navigation on international trade routes. Efforts to resolve conflicts through peaceful means are also on the agenda, reflecting the alliance’s commitment to fostering a cooperative regional defense framework rather than forming a bloc against external powers.
As Türkiye signals the potential expansion of the alliance to include more regional members, the initiative underscores its commitment to strengthening defense ties and promoting stability across the region. The strategic discussions in Riyadh aim to further consolidate the alliance’s role in addressing pressing security concerns in the Middle East.