Saudi Arabia Blocks Egypt from Mecca Defense Pact

Saudi Arabia has reportedly opposed Egypt's inclusion in the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed with Turkey and Pakistan, despite Ankara's push for Cairo to be part of the pact. Three Saudi sources familiar with the discussions told Middle East Eye that Riyadh's decision was driven by growing frustration with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's government and doubts over Egypt's strategic value. The agreement commits the three countries to regard an armed attack against any one of them as an attack against all three.