Saudi Arabia Opposes Egypt's Inclusion in Regional Defense Alliance

Last week's Mecca Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan was a major revelation. According to three Saudi sources familiar with the discussions, Riyadh was opposed to Egypt's inclusion in the defense alliance. A former senior adviser close to the Saudi royal family has been quoted as saying that at least Saudi Arabia does not want Egypt to be part of the agreement for the time being. Under the agreement reached in Mecca on August 7, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have agreed that an armed attack on any one of the three would be considered an attack on all. However, the agreement does not specify how the military assistance would be delivered in the event of a crisis and how the arrangement would be implemented at an operational level. According to a Middle East Eye report, Saudi Arabia's resentment has grown over the stance of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's government. The Saudi side feels that Egypt did not support it on key regional security issues. Saudi advisors have also been frustrated by Egypt's limited role in the protracted conflict against the Houthi rebels in Yemen and Saudi Arabia's recent accusations against Iran and its stance during the second war.