Türkiye approves Makkah defence pact with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia

Türkiye's parliament has ratified the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, advancing a trilateral security arrangement amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom.

The agreement was approved on Thursday, November 5, with 279 lawmakers voting in favour and 119 opposing it, according to reports.

Signed by the three countries on August 7, 2026, in Makkah, the agreement establishes a collective defence framework under which an armed attack against any one of the participating countries would be treated as an attack against all three.

Under its provisions, the countries have committed to providing mutual assistance using available military, intelligence and logistical capabilities.

The agreement also covers defence industry cooperation, military coordination, joint training, intelligence sharing and technological collaboration.

Türkiye's parliamentary approval comes as Saudi Arabia faces renewed attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement, raising regional security concerns.

However, ratification does not automatically authorise the deployment of Turkish troops to Saudi Arabia. Any such deployment would require separate parliamentary approval under Türkiye's domestic legal framework.

Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler has previously indicated that Ankara does not envisage its troops participating in combat or offensive operations against the Houthis, with potential support focused on strengthening Saudi Arabia's defence capabilities.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had already completed their respective ratification procedures, according to Pakistan's Foreign Office.

The trilateral agreement marks a new phase in defence cooperation among the three countries, with its implementation dependent on their respective legal procedures and subsequent arrangements.