The HTS regime in Syria, led by the renewed al-Qaeda commander, Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, is moving towards joining the "Mecca Joint Defense Agreement" with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, an agreement signed in August, which requires the members to treat an attack on one as an attack on all, according to AP.
￭ Two senior HTS regime officials said a decision had already been made, although a regional official said negotiations were ongoing.
￭ HTS says its separate military agreement with Riyadh focuses on training and strengthening its armed forces, dismissing reports of deployment to Yemen.
￭ The agreement deepens the military ties between the HTS regime and Riyadh.