Syria considers joining Mecca defence pact signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye

Syria is considering whether to join the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, a mutual-defence pact signed earlier this month by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani said Thursday.

Speaking to journalists during a visit to Islamabad, Shaibani said Damascus would make its decision independently, describing Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye as important regional countries. He stressed, however, that no decision had yet been made on Syria's possible accession to the agreement.

"We will study this matter and take a decision independently," Shaibani said, adding that the three countries have an important role in the region.

The agreement was signed on August 7 by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye and establishes a framework for closer security and defence cooperation between the three countries.

Shaibani's visit marked the first visit by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly two decades. During the trip, he held talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and army chief Asim Munir.

The two sides also agreed to exchange ambassadors and establish direct flights between Islamabad and Damascus, further signalling an effort to strengthen bilateral relations.

The visit came amid renewed security tensions in Syria, following an Israeli strike near Aleppo a day earlier.

Syria has been seeking to rebuild diplomatic and economic ties across the region following years of civil war and the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government. Damascus has increasingly sought closer relations with regional powers as it attempts to consolidate its position and rebuild state institutions.