Officials from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will meet in Istanbul on Monday for the first meeting of the committee established under the newly signed Mecca Joint Defense Agreement. The pact unites three major Sunni countries in response to the ongoing war in Iran and the associated missile attacks on oil infrastructure in the Persian Gulf.

The alliance includes a collective defense clause modeled on NATO's Article 5, under which an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

At the meeting of foreign ministers, defense ministers and chiefs of staff, officials will discuss strengthening defense capabilities, integrating armed forces, and developing and jointly producing military equipment.

The impetus for the pact stems from concerns over the military actions of both Israel and Iran, as well as the ongoing global energy crisis. Turkey has emphasized that the new group does not replace existing alliances and is open to additional members, with Egypt mentioned as a potential candidate.

(Reuters, max)