SHANGHAI, August 13. /TASS/. The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey reflects their doubts that they can count on the US security umbrella, Ding Long, a professor at Shanghai International Studies University's Middle East Studies Institute, told China Daily.

"The new trilateral defense agreement reflects growing dissatisfaction among Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, with the limitations of the US security umbrella, as well as increasing doubts over the reliability of US security commitments," Ding said.

In his view, the agreement signals a gradual shift away from the US-led security framework in the Middle East. Countries across the region are increasingly seeking greater security autonomy and diversifying their security partnerships, he said.

At the same time, the expert noted that the agreement does not signal a move toward "de-Americanization" but rather reflects efforts to reduce reliance on the US as the sole security provider.

At this stage, the alliance will remain political rather than security-oriented, Ding said. It has a long way to go before becoming a formal, operational security alliance resembling an "Islamic NATO," he added.

On August 7, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement. The accord stipulates that an attack on one country will be considered an attack on all signatories.