Turkish lawmakers approve the trilateral defence agreement by 279 votes to 119, strengthening collective security commitments as Saudi Arabia faces escalating Houthi attacks.
ANKARA, TÜRKİYE — WEB DESK: Türkiye’s parliament has approved the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, completing its parliamentary ratification process and strengthening the trilateral security partnership amid rising regional tensions and Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
The Turkish Grand National Assembly approved the agreement on Thursday, November 5, by 279 votes to 119, with 398 of the chamber’s 592 lawmakers participating in the vote, according to Anadolu Agency.
The agreement was originally signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a trilateral summit in Makkah on August 7, 2026.
What does the Makkah Defence Pact provide?
The agreement establishes a framework for collective defence, under which an armed attack or military aggression against one member country will be treated as an attack against all three.
The participating countries have committed to providing assistance using available mutual support measures, with the nature and extent of assistance determined collectively according to the circumstances.
The 16-article agreement also provides for:
- Intelligence sharing and security cooperation.
- Joint military training and exercises.
- Defence industry collaboration.
- Logistical and technical assistance.
- Coordination against terrorism and external security threats.
- Regular consultations on regional security developments.
The pact also establishes a Strategic Political and Defence Committee to oversee cooperation between the three countries.
Türkiye approves agreement amid Houthi attacks
Türkiye’s parliamentary approval comes as Saudi Arabia faces renewed security concerns over attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement.
The developments have increased attention on the agreement’s collective defence provisions and the potential role of Türkiye in supporting Saudi Arabia’s security.
Saudi Arabia has accused the Houthis of targeting its territory, while the group has rejected several of Riyadh’s allegations.
The Turkish government has presented the agreement as a framework for regional security cooperation and deterrence rather than an arrangement directed against a particular country.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had already completed ratification
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had completed their respective ratification processes before the Turkish parliament’s latest decision.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office previously confirmed that Türkiye was completing the required domestic legal procedures.
With the Turkish parliament’s approval, all three participating countries have advanced their respective ratification processes. The agreement’s formal entry into force remains subject to the required completion and deposit of ratification instruments under its provisions.
Will Turkish troops be deployed to Saudi Arabia?
Despite parliamentary approval, the agreement does not automatically mean Turkish troops will be deployed to Saudi Arabia.
A separate parliamentary authorisation would be required for the deployment of Turkish military personnel abroad.
Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler previously said Ankara did not envisage entering a direct conflict with the Houthis, describing potential Turkish assistance as an effort to strengthen deterrence.
The scope of any military support would depend on consultations, Saudi Arabia’s requirements and the relevant domestic legal procedures.
Opposition raises questions over the agreement
The agreement also prompted debate among Turkish lawmakers over its scope, oversight and compatibility with Türkiye’s other international commitments.
Some opposition representatives called for clear safeguards to ensure that the pact does not create conflicts with Türkiye’s existing obligations.
Government representatives maintained that the agreement is intended to prevent conflicts and strengthen regional security.
The parliamentary approval marks an important legislative development in the defence partnership between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
