The Mecca Pact is a Nato-style defence alliance that binds Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. (EPA Images pic)MANAMA: Syria's top diplomat on Saturday said Damascus was considering whether to join the Nato-style Mecca defence alliance that binds Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
Saudi Arabia, under heavy fire from Yemen's Houthis, is a key backer of Syria's government that came to power after the fall of former strongman Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
"Discussions are currently underway to evaluate Syria's entry into the Mecca alliance," foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani said at the Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain.
Saudi Arabia has been rallying support against escalating Houthi attacks, including a major strike that closed Riyadh's international airport for two weeks this month.
