Erdogan touts Mecca defense pact as signal to Islamic world

Turkish President Erdogan frames a defense pact signed in Mecca as a signal of Türkiye's commitment to the Islamic world, claiming Ankara has 'put its weight behind the region' to help overcome challenges. The pact's specific provisions and signatories remain unclear, and its strategic implications for regional alliances are uncertain. This rhetoric signals Türkiye's intent to deepen its role in Islamic-world security cooperation, potentially reshaping regional alignments.