Erdogan signals expansion of Mecca Defence Pact, says Egypt could join

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has opened the door to Egypt joining the defence agreement that Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed last week, saying Cairo could become part of the expanding arrangement.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Erdogan described Egypt’s participation as “possible” and said the agreement could accommodate additional members.

“This agreement has sent an important message to the world,” Erdogan said, referring to the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement.

What the Mecca pact means

Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Mecca Pact on August 7. The agreement commits the three countries to treat an armed attack on one member as an attack on all three.

Turkiye’s defence ministry said the three countries would step up military coordination under the agreement. The plans include meetings between defence and foreign ministers and military chiefs, along with joint exercises involving land, naval and air forces.

The countries also plan exercises involving air defence and unmanned systems, while their defence industries will work more closely on technology, production and logistics.

“Under the accord, strategic political ​and military mechanisms plan to be established involving the Defence Ministers, Foreign Ministers, ​and Chiefs of General Staff/Armed Forces Commanders, and that coordination among the three countries will ‌be conducted ⁠at the highest level,” the ministry said.

The ministry added, “The aim is to provide not ​only product and system ​supply, but also ⁠joint development and production, technology cooperation, and sustainable maintenance and logistics support.”

It said the partnership would prioritise unmanned and autonomous systems, electronic warfare and artificial intelligence capabilities.

The arrangement has drawn comparisons with Nato’s Article 5 collective defence clause. However, Pakistani officials have stressed that the pact does not amount to a Nati equivalent and does not target any particular country.

Ankara focuses on wider regional security

Turkiye also joined discussions in Jeddah aimed at creating an international coalition to protect Red Sea shipping.

Erdogan meanwhile addressed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the conflicts in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon. He said Ankara wanted the strait reopened, arguing that its continued closure served no one’s interests.

He credited Qatar with an important role in efforts to mediate an end to regional fighting and said Turkiye would continue supporting its neighbours through the ongoing turmoil.

Erdogan speaks on Syria, Gaza and Lebanon

On Syria, Erdogan said Ankara would do everything possible to support stability and confirmed plans to visit the country. He said Syria’s Kurds would have “a share of peace and stability” and added that Turkiye would continue strengthening ties with Kurdish communities while safeguarding their rights across the region.

Turning to Gaza, Erdogan said Turkiye “cannot leave Gaza alone” and would continue doing whatever was necessary to support it. He said Hamas was meeting its commitments in good faith while Israel continued its war.

On Lebanon, Erdogan described continued Israeli attacks as a serious concern for Ankara. He said he raised the need to end the war in Lebanon with US President Donald Trump during Trump’s recent visit to Turkiye and stressed Washington’s role in ending the fighting.