Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Egypt could join a defence agreement recently signed by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in Mecca, potentially broadening the pact’s collective security framework.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, President Erdogan said in an interview published on Saturday that the Mecca Agreement was open to other countries and required signatories to take coordinated action if any member faced external aggression.
A new collective defence pact signed by the three countries establishes that an armed attack against one member will be treated as an attack against all.
The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed on August 7th, aims to strengthen regional deterrence and strategic autonomy amid the ongoing joint Tel Aviv-Washington war on Iran, Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and Syria, and its genocidal war in Palestine.
The Turkish leader said that Ankara is prioritising efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, whose continued closure served no one’s interests.
He also credited Qatar with playing an important mediating role in efforts to end the wider regional conflict.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz — the largest oil disruption on record, removing around 20 million barrels per day before the conflict — pushed Brent crude past $100–$130, spiked global inflation, and slowed GDP growth.
While energy-importing Asian economies suffered the most, economic buffers averted a full recession.
Erdogan: I’ll visit Syria
The Turkish president stressed that Syria will not stand alone, pledging that Türkiye will do everything possible to support the country’s stability and announcing plans to visit Syria in the coming period.
Syrian Kurds have faced years of pressure under the regime of deposed Bashar al Assad and the PKK/YPG terrorist organisation.
Erdogan noted that Syria’s Kurds will have their share of peace and stability, adding that Ankara will continue strengthening ties with Kurds and protecting their rights across the region.
‘Gaza can’t be left alone’
The Turkish leader also tapped on Israel’s genocide in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, saying that Ankara “cannot leave Gaza alone”, pledging continued support and accusing Israel of continuing its war in the Palestinian enclave.
“Türkiye cannot leave Gaza alone and will do everything necessary to support it,” the president said, stressing that Hamas is faithfully meeting its obligations while Israel continues its war.
Regarding Lebanon, Erdogan said ongoing Israeli attacks remained a major concern and stressed Washington’s role in ending the conflict.
He said he discussed the issue with US President Donald Trump during Trump’s recent visit to Türkiye.
F35 jets, Africa and EU
President Erdogan also reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for Sudan and Libya, describing relations with Sudanese Sovereignty Council leader and army chief Abdel Fattah al Burhan as “good.”
On the European Union, the Turkish leader said membership was not a priority because Europe appeared unwilling to admit Türkiye.
He said Europe would ultimately lose from excluding Türkiye as Ankara pursued other regional and international partnerships.
President Erdogan also said President Trump had promised to provide Türkiye with F-35 fighter jets and that Ankara was awaiting fulfilment of that commitment.
