Syria weighs joining Pakistan-Saudi-Türkiye defence alliance

Syria is considering whether to join or cooperate with a new defence grouping formed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani said during his visit to Islamabad.

Speaking to journalists, Shaibani said Damascus was assessing its options regarding the grouping, describing Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye as important regional countries, according to BBC Urdu.

His remarks came during the first visit by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly two decades, as Damascus seeks to rebuild regional and international ties following years of conflict and political upheaval.

The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed earlier this month by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, stipulates that an armed attack against one of the three countries will be treated as an attack against all. Pakistan has said the agreement is not directed against any particular country and that other Muslim countries could join the initiative.

Shaibani welcomed the agreement during delegation-level talks with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. He also praised Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability, including its attempts to reduce tensions linked to the US-Iran conflict.

No decision was reached during the visit on whether Syria would join the grouping.

Shaibani’s comments came amid heightened tensions between Syria and Israel, as well as growing Israeli-Turkish tensions following an Israeli strike near Aleppo on August 18. Israel has accused Syria of preparing to alter existing security arrangements by allowing Turkish forces to deploy at Abu al-Duhur airbase.

Asked about Türkiye’s role in Syria, Shaibani defended Ankara’s position.

“Türkiye has stood with Syria and its people over the past 14 years and is an important ally,” he said.

“Israel has no right to tell us who our ally or partner can be,” the Syrian foreign minister added.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Islamabad’s support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, including Syria’s position on the Golan Heights, which remains under Israeli occupation.

The two sides also discussed Palestine, Afghanistan, South Asia and developments in the Middle East, while reaffirming their commitment to expanding cooperation in defence, trade, investment, education and other areas.

On Syria-Iran relations, Shaibani said Pakistan had not offered to mediate but indicated Damascus would consider such an effort under certain conditions.

“If Iran recognises its past role with Syria and the Syrian people, and Pakistan then offers mediation between the two countries, Damascus would have no objection,” he said.

By Vafa Guliyeva