Erdoğan: Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Send a Signal to the Islamic World with the Mecca Defense Pact

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Monday that Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey have taken a step to send a signal to the Islamic world through the Joint Mecca Defense Agreement, adding that “positive developments” are already on the way, Turkey’s Anadolu agency reported.

Erdoğan said Turkey was “putting its weight behind the region” to help the Islamic world overcome its challenges as quickly as possible, adding that the matter “cannot be taken lightly.”

The statement comes at a time when the U.S.–Iran war has widened its fronts: the Iran-backed Houthis have taken control of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline and the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands in the southern Red Sea, while Saudi Arabia has intensified airstrikes — 54 in the last 24 hours alone, according to the Houthis.

In southwestern Saudi Arabia, authorities issued and then withdrew within minutes an emergency alert for the cities of Khamis Mushait and Abha, according to Saudi state television — a sign of rising tension in the face of the Houthi threat.

Turkey has traditionally maintained relations with both sides of the region’s conflict, and Erdoğan’s comments signal a more active role for Ankara in diplomatic efforts.

Source: Al Jazeera