06.11.2026 10:50
The possibility of Syria joining the Mecca Alliance between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan has sparked debate in Israel. In an assessment attributed to Israel's Channel 12, it was claimed that if Syria joins the alliance, Israeli attacks on that country could amount to a declaration of war on Turkey. As the Damascus administration's negotiations to join the alliance continue, the developments drew attention in terms of regional balances.
The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, which could change the balance of power in the Middle East, has come to the fore again after Syria announced that it is conducting talks to join the alliance. The agreement signed by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan stipulates that an armed attack on one of the member countries is considered to have been carried out against the other members as well. This situation has brought new debates about the future of Israel's military operations in Syria.
TÜRKİYE-SYRIA SCENARIO IN THE ISRAELI PRESS
According to the assessment attributed to Israel's Channel 12, if Syria joins the Mecca Alliance, Israel's attacks on that country could cause it to come into direct confrontation with Türkiye.
In the claim in question, it was argued that if Israel attacks Syria again, which it has targeted many times before, this could mean a declaration of war against Türkiye.
SYRIA IS CONDUCTING TALKS TO JOIN THE ALLIANCE
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani announced at the Manama Dialogue meeting held in Bahrain on October 31 that his country is considering joining the Mecca Alliance.
Al-Shibani stated that Syria is an inseparable part of the regional security system and said that joint defense and deterrence mechanisms should be strengthened.
No definitive decision has yet been taken regarding Syria's participation in the alliance. The accession of a new country requires the joint approval of the existing three members.
THE DEFENSE CLAUSE THAT STANDS OUT IN THE AGREEMENT
The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in August, stipulates that an externally sourced armed attack on one of the parties is considered to have been carried out against all parties.
However, this provision of the agreement does not mean that any attack will automatically lead to a declaration of war or that all members will directly enter into conflict. The nature and scope of the assistance to be provided are determined within the framework of the parties' consultations and national decision-making processes. The Grand National Assembly of Türkiye approved the ratification of the agreement on November 5.
ISRAEL'S ATTACKS ON SYRIA INCREASE TENSION
Israel's military operations against Syrian territory are among the main causes of tension between the two countries. Syrian Foreign Minister al-Shibani claimed that his country had been targeted by Israel more than a thousand times in less than two years.
Israel's Channel 12 had claimed in August that, after Israel's attack on Abu al-Duhur Air Base in northern Syria, Türkiye temporarily halted its attempts to establish a military presence in the region. Statements by Israeli security officials that they could again target the same base had also been reflected in the press.
SYRIA'S PARTICIPATION COULD CHANGE THE BALANCE
Syria's joining the Mecca Alliance could increase the impact of Israel's military operations on its relations with Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. However, the Damascus administration's membership process has not yet been completed, nor is it certain how the alliance would respond to a possible attack.