Saudi Arabia opposed Egypt joining Mecca defence pact

Saudi Arabia opposed including Egypt in the “Mecca Defence Pact” signed last week with Türkiye and Pakistan, according to three Saudi sources familiar with the discussions who spoke to Middle East Eye.

A former senior adviser to the Saudi royal family said Riyadh “does not want Egypt to join the pact, at least for now.”

The three sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Saudi Arabia’s position was largely driven by growing dissatisfaction with the government of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

There is also a growing perception among some Saudi officials that Egypt no longer carries the same strategic or military importance it once did, the sources said.

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan signed the “Mecca Joint Defence Pact” in the holy city of Mecca on Friday (August 7). Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be treated as an attack against all three.

The sources said Riyadh’s decision to exclude Egypt reflects longstanding tensions and disagreements between Saudi Arabia and Cairo.