The Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Agreement for Joint Defence between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is meeting in Riyadh on October 5, 2026. Türkiye is represented by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and Chief of the General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu. Saudi and Pakistani political and military officials are also taking part.
According to an official statement issued by Türkiye's Foreign Ministry on October 4, the talks will address recent regional developments and the stage reached in efforts to institutionalize the alliance. The ministry did not announce a detailed list of proposed decisions or say whether a joint statement would follow. Any concrete outcome will therefore depend on official information released after the meeting.
The Makkah Agreement was signed by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on August 7, 2026. It is designed to strengthen collective defence and security coordination among the three states. Reuters previously reported that the arrangement includes the principle that an armed attack against one member would be treated as an attack against all of them. Officials have said the agreement is not directed at a specific country.
A central issue in Riyadh is the institutional framework through which the pact will operate. The Turkish ministry's reference to the alliance's institutionalization indicates that participants will review how political and military consultations can continue through permanent committee structures. No new details about the committee's powers, voting rules, implementation calendar, secretariat or command arrangements were disclosed before the meeting.
Reuters noted that the talks are taking place as conflict in Yemen intensifies. Yemen's Saudi-backed government announced a new military campaign against the Iran-aligned Houthis. Reuters also reported that Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Iran had suggested political engagement with the Houthis and that the idea could be discussed by the pact's committee in Riyadh.
The diplomatic idea has not been presented as a written or binding proposal. The Pakistani account described it as an option that could be considered as an alternative to military action. Türkiye's official announcement did not refer to that specific proposal and framed the agenda more broadly around regional developments and the institutional development of the alliance.
For Türkiye, the composition of the delegation is notable because the foreign ministry, defence ministry and senior military command are represented together. Their joint participation means the session can cover diplomatic assessments as well as defence coordination and practical mechanisms. However, Ankara announced no new military operation, deployment commitment, weapons transfer or operational decision before the meeting.
Anadolu Agency reported that Fidan was expected to present Türkiye's views on institutionalization and possible next steps. The agency also said Türkiye would discuss threats to peace and stability in the Middle East. These points describe expectations before the talks and should not be treated as decisions that have already been adopted. TRT Haber separately confirmed the date, venue and Turkish delegation.
Holding committee meetings does not by itself mean that a joint military operation has been approved or that every implementation detail has been completed. Parliamentary ratification, domestic law and future implementation arrangements remain relevant to binding steps under the agreement. Reporting should therefore distinguish verified attendance and agenda items from claims about operational commitments that participating governments have not announced.
Official statements issued after the meeting will determine whether the committee reached specific decisions, created a calendar or approved additional mechanisms. For now, the verified facts are limited: the meeting is scheduled for October 5 in Riyadh; Fidan, Güler and Bayraktaroğlu are attending for Türkiye; and the agenda includes regional developments and institutionalization. Claims about military commitments or joint operations should not be made unless confirmed by the participating governments.
