Türkiye has submitted the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement to parliament for ratification, bringing the country closer to a formal mutual defence commitment with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan amid continuing Houthi attacks.
The three countries signed the agreement in August. Under its central provision, an armed attack against any one member is to be treated as an attack against all three, reports Dawn.
The arrangement resembles Article 5 of NATO’s founding treaty and refers to Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which recognises the individual and collective right of states to defend themselves against armed attacks.
According to the agreement’s text, reviewed by Reuters, the three signatories have committed to employing “all necessary means” to counter threats to one another’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally recognised borders.
The pact will take effect once the ratification documents are deposited with its secretariat in Riyadh. It will remain in force indefinitely, with the signatories barred from withdrawing during the first 10 years.
Türkiye seeks parliamentary approval
While Pakistan has said that “collective deterrence measures” under the trilateral agreement are already in effect, Türkiye still needs parliamentary ratification to formalise its participation.
Official sources said Pakistan follows an executive-led treaty-making process under which the federal government can ratify agreements covering matters listed under federal legislative jurisdiction.
Article 90 of Pakistan’s Constitution states that the federation’s executive authority is exercised in the president’s name by the federal government, comprising the prime minister and federal ministers and acting through the prime minister as the chief executive.
Türkiye’s constitutional framework, however, requires separate parliamentary authorisation for deploying troops abroad, irrespective of the existence of an international agreement.
Reuters reported that Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, who is visiting Kyrgyzstan, is expected to refer the agreement to parliament’s foreign affairs commission after returning. The committee could begin deliberations as early as Friday.
Burhanettin Duran, communications director for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, described the submission as a significant 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.
A Turkish official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said Ankara’s expected contribution would primarily involve military equipment, intelligence sharing and weapons systems. No other form of deployment has taken place under the alliance so far, the official added.
Asked how Türkiye could assist Saudi Arabia in defending against Houthi attacks originating from Yemen, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the Mecca Agreement was not an “offensive agreement”. He added that Türkiye would not send troops to another country to conduct attacks on its territory.
Although Egypt is not a member of the Mecca alliance, its parliament is also expected to vote on 26 October on authorising possible military assistance to Saudi Arabia.
Before the agreement was submitted for parliamentary approval, Turkish state broadcaster TRT Haber published its full text for the first time.
Türkiye, which has a substantial defence industry, has condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and expressed its willingness to help address Riyadh’s military technology requirements. Ankara has also agreed to join a Saudi-led coalition aimed at ensuring safe navigation in the Red Sea.
The agreement provides for extensive cooperation in the defence industry, intelligence sharing, logistical support and efforts to combat terrorism through various means, including operational cooperation.
Türkiye, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia to sign defence cooperation memorandum
Separately, Türkiye, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia are expected to sign a memorandum on defence industry cooperation on Wednesday, TRT World reported.
The signing is scheduled to take place in Qatar, which is also expected to announce plans to establish a domestic defence production hub, Qatari Minister of State for Defence Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said at the Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday.
Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler is scheduled to travel to Doha for the signing. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who was also attending the security forum, is expected to represent Islamabad.
Earlier, Naqvi met his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who also heads Qatar’s Internal Security Force, known as Lekhwiya.
According to Pakistan’s state-run Associated Press of Pakistan, the two officials discussed the regional situation and issues related to peace and stability.
They also agreed to strengthen security cooperation between Pakistan and Qatar, holding detailed discussions on expanding collaboration in areas concerning internal security.
