Türkiye Submits Saudi-Pakistani Defence Pact to Parliament for Ratification, Sources Say
ANKARA, October 20 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Türkiye has submitted a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to parliament for ratification, three parliamentary sources said on Tuesday, advancing a mutual defence pledge as Riyadh faces Houthi attacks.
The three countries signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August. It treats an armed attack on one member as an attack on all, although their joint statement at the time did not detail each country’s commitments.
Parliamentary approval is required for Türkiye to formally ratify the agreement.
Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus will refer it to the foreign affairs commission after returning from a visit to Kyrgyzstan, two sources said. Another source said the commission could begin debating it as early as Friday.
The agreement’s contents and details are expected to become public once it reaches the commission.
At an emergency meeting in Riyadh earlier this month, the three countries agreed to ensure the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia.
A Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Türkiye’s contribution was expected to be limited to military equipment, intelligence sharing and weapons systems. No other form of deployment had taken place under the alliance so far, the official said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the agreement was not offensive and that Türkiye would not send troops to another country to conduct attacks on its territory.
Türkiye has condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, expressed willingness to help meet its military technology needs and agreed to join a Saudi-led coalition to protect navigation in the Red Sea.
Source: Reuters.
