Could Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan Form a ‘Muslim NATO’ Through the Mecca Pact?

More than a week has passed since Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan signed a joint security agreement called the ‘Mecca Pact.’ Some analysts have referred to this agreement as a ‘Sunni Pact’ or even a ‘Muslim NATO.’ It has also been interpreted as a signal against countries such as Iran and Israel. However, since the full details of the pact have not been made public, speculation and commentary continue to grow. Critics argue that the differing national interests of countries not included in this pact could pose significant challenges.

The agreement clearly states that if any one of the countries is attacked, all three parties will respond collectively. Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described the pact as ‘technically similar to NATO’s Article 5.’ Nonetheless, analysts suggest that only time and real-world tests will reveal whether this pact will evolve into a full-fledged military alliance like NATO. Professor Sherhat Gibench of Kadir Has University commented, “Until the terms of the agreement are fully understood, it remains unclear how the implementation and impact will unfold.”

Some analysts view the Mecca Pact as a response to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East as well as the broader tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Among the signatories, Pakistan and Turkey are both Sunni-majority countries sharing borders with Iran, and Saudi Arabia has also signed on. Some interpret this as an attempt to encircle Iran from multiple directions. However, Turkish officials have stated that talks leading to this pact began in December 2024, prior to the current conflicts.