Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are expected to sign a trilateral defense agreement in Saudi Arabia on Friday, marking a significant step toward deeper military and strategic cooperation among the three regional powers, according to regional sources familiar with the matter.

The agreement is expected to be signed during a high-level meeting in Riyadh attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is already in the Kingdom for a three-day official visit.

The anticipated pact comes as Ankara, Riyadh and Islamabad seek to strengthen security coordination amid growing instability across the Middle East, particularly in the Red Sea region and the Arabian Peninsula.

While the full details of the agreement have not yet been made public, regional sources said it is expected to expand cooperation in defense, military coordination, security collaboration and broader strategic affairs.

The development follows renewed fighting in Yemen, where hostilities have intensified between the Yemeni Armed Forces and Saudi-backed forces.

Earlier this week, the Yemeni Armed Forces announced a large-scale military operation targeting what they described as Saudi-backed military positions in the provinces of Marib and Hadramout. According to the group's statement, the operation was launched after intelligence indicated preparations for a new military offensive against territories under the control of the Sana'a-based authorities.

Media reports citing military sources said dozens of fighters aligned with the internationally recognized Yemeni government were killed during the attacks.

Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said the operation involved ballistic missiles and armed drones targeting military concentrations in Al-Ruwaik, Al-Abr, Al-Thaniyah and several other locations.

The Sana'a authorities described the strikes as a preemptive measure intended to disrupt what they characterized as preparations for a broader Saudi-backed military escalation.

The latest escalation also comes amid continued tensions in the Red Sea, where the Yemeni Armed Forces have maintained a maritime campaign targeting vessels they associate with Saudi interests.

The Sana'a government says the operations are part of a "blockade for blockade" strategy in response to the long-running Saudi-led restrictions imposed on Yemeni ports and airports. The maritime campaign has increased security concerns along the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world's most strategically important shipping lanes.

Against this backdrop, the reported trilateral defense agreement reflects an emerging regional alignment as Saudi Arabia seeks to reinforce its security partnerships while navigating an increasingly complex strategic environment.

Türkiye and Pakistan have long maintained close defense relations with Saudi Arabia through joint military exercises, training programs and defense industry cooperation. Analysts say the new agreement could further institutionalize that partnership by expanding coordination on regional security challenges, defense planning and military collaboration.

Although officials from the three countries have yet to release the text of the agreement, observers view the anticipated signing as an important milestone in strengthening cooperation among three influential Muslim-majority nations at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty across the region. (ILKHA)