The defence alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye has moved a step further. Turkiye has submitted the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement to its parliament for ratification, three parliamentary sources told Reuters on Tuesday, The Express Tribune reported.
The three countries signed the agreement in August; under it, an armed attack on one member is treated as an attack on all. The move comes as Saudi Arabia faces Houthi attacks.
What the pact says
According to a text seen by Reuters, the first article commits the parties to use "all necessary means" to eliminate threats to one another's territorial integrity, sovereignty or internationally recognised borders.
Article 2 says that if one party faces an armed attack or military aggression by another country or group of countries, the others shall immediately assist it with the full range of mutual assistance measures available. The clause resembles NATO's Article 5 and refers to Article 51 of the UN Charter, though the scope and nature of support is to be decided after an objective assessment.
The pact also covers defence-industry cooperation, intelligence sharing, logistics and counter-terrorism. 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.
What happens next
Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus will refer the agreement to the foreign affairs commission on his return from Kyrgyzstan, two sources said, and one source said the commission could debate it as early as Friday. Erdogan's communications director Burhanettin Duran wrote on X that the partnership aims to "strengthen collective deterrence" and safeguard regional security and stability.
A limited Turkish role
A Turkish official, speaking anonymously, said Turkiye's contribution was expected to be limited to military equipment, intelligence sharing and weapons systems. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the pact was not an "offensive agreement" and that Turkiye would not send troops to attack another country's territory. Turkiye's constitution requires separate parliamentary approval to deploy troops abroad.