Turkish parliament ratifies Makkah Defense Pact

Under the agreement, Turkey commits to assisting member states against external attacks. Al Jazeera reported that parliament approved the treaty on Thursday (5 November) amid ongoing Houthi strikes in Yemen. Turkey signed the pact in August, and lawmakers passed it with 279 votes to 119 after parliamentary debate.

According to Reuters documents, the 16-article treaty stipulates that member states will use all necessary means to counter threats to territorial integrity. Its core clause mandates that an armed attack on one member prompts immediate assistance from signatories, mirroring NATO's Article 5.

Critics questioned potential conflicts of interest with Turkey's NATO membership, but officials dismissed these concerns. The pact also covers defense industry cooperation, joint military training, technology sharing, and intelligence exchanges. Membership lasts for 10 years, with provisions for future expansion.

While parliament approved the pact, a final decision on deploying Turkish troops to Saudi Arabia remains pending. Defense Minister Yasar Guler stated that Ankara is not considering direct conflict with the Houthis, but rather aims to strengthen defensive capabilities.

-SA