Turkish Parliament Votes to Join Saudi and Pakistan Military Pact
Lawmakers approved the agreement by a wide margin, committing Turkey to defend its new partners if they face an armed attack.
By Diego Mendoza ·
A deepening split over military alliances in the Middle East came into focus on Thursday when the Turkish parliament voted to ratify a defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The vote binds Turkey, the second-largest military force in NATO, to a collective defense arrangement that mirrors the core principles of the Western alliance. This development places Ankara in a complex position as regional tensions rise, particularly with the ongoing attacks by Yemen’s Houthis against Saudi targets.
The legislation passed the chamber with 279 votes in favor and 119 against. A total of 398 out of 592 lawmakers participated in the final tally. The process began on Wednesday when the first article of the bill was adopted, but the session was paused by Deputy Parliament Speaker Celal Adan until the following afternoon. Lawmakers returned to debate the remaining provisions before the final vote was cast.
The agreement, known as the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, consists of 16 articles. It was originally signed in August and sent to parliament for approval last month. Article 1 of the text states that signatories will use all necessary means to protect each other’s territorial integrity. Article 2 specifies that if one member suffers an armed attack, the other members must immediately provide assistance using all available mutual support measures. This clause closely resembles Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which dictates that an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all.
Critics have questioned how Turkey will manage its resources if it is called upon to defend both Saudi Arabia and its NATO allies simultaneously. Turkish officials have largely dismissed these concerns as unfounded. The pact also includes provisions for increased cooperation in defense industries, joint military training, and the sharing of intelligence and logistics resources. The initial term for the agreement is ten years, after which member states may choose to withdraw.
The ratification occurs while Saudi Arabia faces intensifying pressure from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis. Although a ceasefire in 2022 had reduced hostilities, the Houthis have recently escalated their strikes, including attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Syria has also expressed interest in joining the pact, which would require approval from existing members.
Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler noted in October that the specific scope of support for Saudi Arabia would be decided after the ratification process. He stated that Turkey did not foresee entering a direct conflict with the Houthis and that its support would focus on strengthening deterrence. Experts indicate that actual troop deployment would require further legislative steps.
On the day of the vote, Saudi Arabia announced the interception of a drone in the Medina region. Riyadh has repeatedly accused the Houthis of targeting the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, claims the Houthi group has consistently rejected.
