Syria Evaluates Joining Mecca Defence Alliance Security Pact

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani announced on October 31, 2026, that discussions are underway to evaluate Syria's entry into the Mecca Defence Alliance. Speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, al-Shaibani described Syria as an "integral" part of regional security and stated that the defense of Gulf Arab countries is essential to Syrian security.

Established on August 7 by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan, the alliance operates on a collective-defense principle where an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. The pact facilitates intelligence sharing, joint military exercises, and defense-industrial cooperation. Syria's interest in joining follows the collapse of Bashar Assad's rule and efforts by the transitional leadership under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to rebuild the military and reintegrate into regional security structures.

This potential alignment occurs as Saudi Arabia faces intensified missile and drone attacks from Iran-backed Houthi militias. While Pakistan and Türkiye have pledged military support to Riyadh, Türkiye specified that its support would not include deploying troops to Yemen. Syria has expressed support for the Saudi-backed internationally recognized government of Yemen in its efforts to restore sovereignty.

During the conference, al-Shaibani also condemned over 1,000 Israeli military operations on Syrian territory since late 2024, demanding a return to pre-December 2024 positions and the reactivation of the 1974 disengagement agreement. Membership for Syria requires the unanimous approval of the three founding members.