Former NISA chief says Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan defense pact could strengthen Somalia’s security

Saturday August 8, 2026

Mogadishu (HOL) — Former National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) director Fahad Yasin Haji Dahir has described a new defense agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan as a “historic step,” saying Somalia could benefit from stronger security cooperation among the three countries.

In a post on X on Friday, Fahad Yasin said the agreement was a strategic move to protect the interests of countries bordering the Red Sea and Indian Ocean and could strengthen Somalia’s national security through greater support from Arab and Muslim-majority countries.

He said the pact also carries historical and strategic significance, arguing that closer cooperation among the three countries sends a message to those seeking to threaten their security or destabilize the wider region.

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement on Friday, committing to strengthen collective deterrence against aggression. Under the agreement, the three countries said an armed attack against one would be treated as an attack against all three.

The agreement was signed amid heightened regional tensions and growing concerns over security in the Gulf, Red Sea and surrounding waterways.

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said the agreement was not directed against any particular country. A Turkish official described it as defensive and said it would not replace or conflict with existing defense agreements the three countries have with other states.

The Somali government welcomed the agreement, describing it as an important development in regional security and defense cooperation.

Somalia’s Defense Ministry said the pact establishes a strategic partnership capable of addressing shared security challenges while strengthening long-term defense cooperation among Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan.

The ministry said it expected the agreement to contribute to regional peace and stability and reinforce principles of cooperation, solidarity and shared responsibility.

It also said the agreement could serve the interests of the region’s populations while contributing to international peace and security.

For Somalia, the agreement carries particular significance because of the country’s strategic location along the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, as well as its longstanding security and defense relationships with Turkey and other regional partners.