Saudi Arabia blocks Egypt from joining new defence alliance

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia opposed Egypt’s inclusion in a new defence pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan in Mecca, Middle East Eye (MEE) reported, citing three Saudi sources familiar with the discussions.

The sources said Riyadh had become increasingly frustrated with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s government, questioning Egypt’s strategic value and reliability on key regional security issues.

The agreement was signed in Mecca on August 7 by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. It commits the three countries to consider an armed attack against any one of them an attack against all three, although it does not specify how the commitment would be activated or what military assistance would be provided.

According to the Saudi sources, Riyadh’s concerns included Egypt’s limited role in the Saudi-led campaign against Yemen’s Houthi rebels and what they described as Cairo’s insufficient support during the recent US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

They also cited Egypt’s close ties with the United Arab Emirates, amid growing Saudi-Emirati tensions over regional issues, including Yemen.

The sources further questioned Egypt’s military effectiveness and reliability, contrasting it with Türkiye’s advanced defence industry and Pakistan’s established arms production capabilities and large standing army.

Turkish sources, meanwhile, told MEE that Ankara had actively pushed for Egypt to join the pact and formally proposed its inclusion. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan later described Egypt as a “natural partner”, suggesting Cairo could join at a later stage once technical issues are resolved.

A former senior Saudi adviser close to decision-making dismissed claims that Egypt had rejected membership, arguing that Cairo would have welcomed the financial benefits of joining. The adviser also criticised Egypt’s longstanding reliance on Saudi, US and other external support without providing equivalent strategic returns.

The Mecca pact marks a closer security partnership between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, while leaving open the possibility that other countries, including Egypt, could join at a later stage.

GAROWE ONLINE