Turkiye has taken a major step by submitting the Makkah Joint Defence Alliance pact with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to its parliament for ratification. Three parliamentary sources confirmed the move on Tuesday. This development brings Nato’s second-largest army closer to a formal mutual defence commitment with Riyadh at a time when Saudi Arabia faces ongoing Houthi attacks.
The agreement, signed by the three countries in August, clearly states that an armed attack on any one member will be treated as an attack on all. The parties commit to mutual assistance against external aggression. According to the text of the pact, the first article requires the countries to use all necessary means to protect one another’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally recognised borders.
Article 2 goes further. It says that if one party suffers an armed attack or military aggression, the others must immediately provide assistance using the full range of available mutual support measures. The provision closely resembles Nato’s Article 5 and refers to the right of self-defence under the UN Charter. The three nations will jointly decide the exact nature of support after assessing needs and will cooperate within their available resources, including military capabilities.
A key feature of the deal is the ten-year minimum commitment. None of the signatories can withdraw during the first ten years after the agreement enters into force. After that period any country wishing to leave must give at least three months’ written notice through diplomatic channels. The pact itself remains in force indefinitely. Classified information shared under the agreement must stay confidential and cannot be passed to outsiders.
At an emergency meeting of the alliance held in Riyadh earlier this month, the three countries agreed on the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities inside Saudi Arabia to counter Houthi threats. Turkiye, known for its strong defence industry, has already condemned the attacks, offered help with military technology and joined a Saudi-led effort to protect shipping in the Red Sea.
The agreement also covers wider defence industry cooperation, intelligence sharing, logistical support, joint training and the fight against terrorism. Turkish officials stress that Ankara’s role is expected to focus on equipment, intelligence and weapons systems rather than sending troops. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has made clear that the pact is not an offensive agreement and that any troop deployment abroad would still need separate parliamentary approval under Turkey’s constitution.
Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus is expected to refer the document to the Foreign Affairs Committee soon, with debate possibly beginning as early as Friday. President Erdogan’s communications director described the step as an important milestone that will strengthen collective deterrence and enhance joint defence capabilities across the region.
