Turkiye Moves to Ratify Makkah Defence Pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan

ANKARA: Turkiye has submitted the Makkah defence pact to its parliament for ratification, bringing the country closer to a formal mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. This move comes as Turkiye, home to NATO’s second-largest army, seeks to bolster its military alliances amid ongoing Houthi attacks in the region.

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed in August by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, stipulates that an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all, mirroring NATO’s Article 5. The agreement is grounded in Article 51 of the UN Charter, which recognizes the right of states to self-defence against armed aggression. Pakistan has already ratified the treaty, pending only the approval of Prime Minister and cabinet under Article 90.

This pact signifies a strategic shift in regional security dynamics, enhancing military cooperation among the three nations. It underscores a collective commitment to counter threats and maintain stability in the face of external aggressions, particularly from Houthi forces, which have posed challenges to regional security.

As the situation unfolds, Egypt’s parliament is set to vote on its support for Riyadh on October 26, while Pakistan, Turkiye, Qatar, and Indonesia are expected to sign a defence cooperation agreement in Doha today. These developments highlight a growing trend of military collaboration among Muslim-majority nations in response to shared security concerns.