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Turkey moves closer to Saudi troop deployment as parliament approves Mecca defence pact
Middle East Eye • • world
Key Points:
- The Turkish parliament approved the Mecca defence pact with 279 votes in favor, marking a key step in the treaty's legal process, with support from the ruling AKP, coalition partner MHP, and parts of the opposition CHP.
- The pact, signed by Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, states that an attack on one signatory is considered an attack on all, without naming specific threats, and has no expiration date with withdrawal possible only after 10 years.
- President Erdogan is expected to publish the law soon, enabling Turkey to formally participate in the defence agreement, with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia having already ratified the treaty.
- Turkey aims to secure parliamentary approval to deploy forces to Saudi Arabia to defend against Houthi attacks, with Turkish officials emphasizing the deployment will be defensive and not involve operations in Yemen.
- Further negotiations are needed to finalize a Status of Forces Agreement (Sofa) to define legal jurisdictions and operational protocols for Turkish forces in Saudi Arabia, though it is unclear if these talks are complete.
