Key facts
- A new Mecca Joint Defence Agreement was signed on August 7 by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan.
- The UAE and Israeli intelligence services were surprised by the agreement's signing.
- The agreement is seen as a counterweight to the security cooperation between the UAE and Israel.
- The pact aims to serve the interests of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan.
- The agreement is expected to deepen the strategic rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
A newly signed Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, established on August 7, has reportedly caused consternation among the United Arab Emirates and Israeli intelligence services, who were allegedly unaware of its impending finalization. The pact, involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is framed as a significant regional development that challenges the growing security cooperation between the UAE and Israel.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has openly advocated for a Muslim alliance as a response to the conflict in Gaza. While Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) maintained a more reserved approach, his actions, including Saudi and US air strikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq and attacks in Yemen, were interpreted by some as aligning with the US and Israeli stance against Iran. However, the article suggests MBS's ultimate goal was not to join the US military campaign against Iran.
Analysts like Dr. Ahmed Altuwaijri, a former Saudi Shura Council member, view the Mecca agreement as crucial, stating it serves the interests of the entire region and will likely attract more countries. He believes the agreement is reshaping the region and that "everyone has lost faith in Trump." The pact is seen as beneficial for Pakistan in its dispute with India, for Turkey seeking deterrence against Israeli threats, and for Saudi Arabia, which gains from the military, intelligence, and planning capabilities of Turkey and Pakistan.
Historically, Israeli strategists have sought to build an alliance against a "Sunni" Muslim pact, with military cooperation with the UAE forming a core part of this ambition. This cooperation, which became overt following the US-Israeli attack on Iran, saw Israel deploy advanced defense systems to Abu Dhabi. The broader Israeli vision included an alliance extending from India to the Eastern Mediterranean, positioning Israel at the center of regional trade and security, potentially diminishing the influence of traditional Arab powers.
The Mecca Defence Agreement is presented as a direct counterweight to this UAE-Israel project, poised to intensify the strategic rivalry between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. Evidence of this deepening rift is cited through social media commentary from influencers aligned with each nation, indicating that differences extend beyond specific conflicts like Yemen.