Turkiye has submitted the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement to parliament for ratification, bringing NATO’s second-largest military contributor closer to a formal mutual defence commitment with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
The three countries signed the agreement in August, committing to treat an armed attack against any one member as an attack against all. The provision, similar to NATO’s Article 5, refers to Article 51 of the UN Charter, which recognises states’ individual and collective right to self-defence.
Under the pact, the members have agreed to use “all necessary means” to counter threats to one another’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally recognised borders.
The agreement will take effect once the ratification documents are deposited with its secretariat in Riyadh. It will remain valid indefinitely, with members barred from withdrawing during the first 10 years.
Pakistan has said “collective deterrence measures” under the agreement are “already in play”, while T rkiye requires parliamentary ratification.
Under Pakistan’s executive-led treaty-making system, the federalT rkiye’s constitution, however, requires separate parliamentary authorisation for the deployment of troops abroad, regardless of any international agreement.
Turkish presidential communications director Burhanettin Duran described the submission as an important step towards institutionalising strategic cooperation among the three countries.
“This strategic partnership developed between our countries aims to strengthen collective deterrence, enhance joint capabilities in the defence sector, and safeguard security and stability in our region,” Duran said in a post on X.
T rkiye’s contribution is expected to focus on military equipment, intelligence sharing and weapons systems, according to an official, who said no other form of deployment had taken place under the alliance so far.
Asked how Ankara could help Saudi Arabia defend against attacks by Yemen’s Houthis, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the agreement was not an “offensive agreement”. He added that T rkiye would not send troops to another country to carry out attacks from its territory.
T rkiye has condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, expressed willingness to meet Riyadh’s military technology needs and agreed to join a Saudi-led coalition aimed at ensuring safe navigation in the Red Sea.
The agreement also provides for cooperation on defence industry development, intelligence sharing, logistical support and efforts to combat “all means of terrorism”, including at the operational level.
Its full text was published for the first time by Turkish state broadcaster TRT Haber ahead of its submission to parliament.
Egypt, which is not a member of the alliance, is also expected to hold a parliamentary vote on October 26 authorising potential military support for Saudi Arabia.
T rkiye, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia are also expected to sign a defence industry cooperation memorandum in Qatar on Wednesday, according to TRT.
Qatar is also expected to announce plans for a domestic defence production hub, Minister of State for Defence Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told the Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday.
Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler is due to travel to Doha for the signing, while Pakistan is expected to be represented by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who is also attending the security forum.
Naqvi earlier met his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who commands Qatar’s Internal Security Force, Lekhwiya. The two discussed regional developments, peace and stability, and agreed to expand security cooperation between Pakistan and Qatar, including in internal security.
