Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani said Damascus is considering joining the “Mecca Joint Defence Agreement,” but has not yet made a final decision.

Al-Shaibani made the remarks during an official visit to Pakistan, according to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, citing Pakistani local media, on Friday, August 21.

The visit is the first by a Syrian foreign minister to Islamabad in 19 years and comes amid intense diplomatic activity in the region following the signing of the Mecca agreement by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan in early August.

Speaking to Pakistani local media, al-Shaibani said Syria was “considering the matter” and had not yet decided whether to join the alliance, adding that Damascus would make a decision at a later date.

The remarks came after Israeli strikes targeted Abu al-Duhur Military Airport (northern Syria), amid escalating tensions between Israel and Turkey and mutual accusations over activity on Syrian territory.

What Is the Mecca Agreement?

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed the “Mecca Joint Defence Agreement” on August 7 during a summit held in Mecca at the invitation of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz. The summit brought together Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

According to the joint statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, SPA, the agreement aims to strengthen mutual deterrence against any aggression. It stipulates that an armed attack on any of the three countries constitutes an attack on all of them and also seeks to develop defense cooperation among the signatories.

Al-Shaibani’s Visit: Talks and Diplomatic Representation

Al-Shaibani arrived in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, at the head of a high-level delegation, according to Syria’s official news agency, SANA.

During the visit, the minister discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. He also held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on strengthening relations and joint cooperation, as well as regional and international developments. The Pakistani side affirmed its support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

Al-Shaibani’s meetings also included Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The talks focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, expanding trade and investment, opening avenues for cooperation between the public and private sectors, and addressing issues related to regional security and stability.

Al-Shaibani said Damascus and Islamabad had agreed to reactivate the joint ministerial committee, continue direct flights, establish a joint business council, and organize an investment forum. He also announced that Syria would upgrade its diplomatic representation in Pakistan to ambassadorial level.

He said the two sides share the same vision and want to elevate bilateral relations to the highest level.

Al-Shaibani’s remarks come as the region witnesses accelerating diplomatic and security activity, with Syria watching the implications of the new Mecca agreement and the possibility that it could expand to include other countries amid intertwined regional crises.