Military officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey have agreed to increase intelligence sharing, military coordination, and integration of defense capabilities among the three countries.

Reuters news agency reported on Saturday, September 26, that the Chiefs of Defense Forces and Army Staff of the three countries discussed the security situation and threats facing Saudi Arabia on Friday in Riyadh.

At this meeting, attacks by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen against Mecca and civilian and economic facilities of Saudi Arabia were also condemned.

The military chiefs of the three countries also discussed ways to expand cooperation among the armed forces of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

These developments come after the signing of the “Mecca Joint Defense Agreement” between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey in August.

Under this agreement, an armed attack on one of the three countries is considered an attack on all three, and the parties have committed to strengthening defense cooperation and joint deterrence.

The three countries had previously, at the first meeting of the Political and Defense Committee of this agreement in Istanbul, emphasized the institutionalization of defense cooperation, strengthening of military capabilities, and cooperation in the defense industry sector.