Türkiye Plans Parliamentary Mandate to Deploy Military Personnel to Saudi Arabia, Official Says
ANKARA, October 21 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Türkiye plans to seek parliamentary authorization to deploy military personnel to Saudi Arabia under its joint defence agreement with the Kingdom and Pakistan, a ruling AK Party lawmaker told Reuters on Wednesday.
The mandate would be submitted once parliament approves a bill ratifying the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, the lawmaker said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Technical personnel and experts would initially be sent to support air defence, electronic warfare technologies and other defensive capabilities. Turkish troops deployed abroad under the pact would not participate in offensive operations, the lawmaker said.
The proposed mandate would mark a further step beyond ratification of the agreement, which Türkiye submitted to parliament on Tuesday. The three countries signed the pact in August.
Two officials previously told Reuters that Türkiye’s contribution was expected to be limited to military equipment, intelligence sharing and weapons systems, with no other deployment having taken place under the alliance at that point.
Türkiye has condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and agreed to join a Saudi-led coalition to protect navigation.
Source: Reuters.
