Turkish parliament ratifies Mecca defense agreement

On November 5, 2026, the Turkish Grand National Assembly officially ratified the Mecca Defense Agreement, a trilateral pact between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. The agreement, which was originally signed by the three nations in August and submitted for approval in October, establishes a collective defense clause stipulating that an armed attack against one signatory will be considered an attack against all, requiring mutual military support.

Government officials, including Ziya Altunyaldiz of the AKP, stated that the pact aims to bolster regional security and deter conflict without targeting any third party. While the ratification process is now complete across all three countries, any deployment of Turkish military personnel to Saudi territory will require a separate, future parliamentary vote. The agreement is designed to facilitate military assistance to Riyadh, particularly regarding security challenges posed by Houthi rebel forces in Yemen.

The opposition in the Turkish parliament has expressed reservations regarding the international implications of the deal. The agreement will formally take effect once the relevant ratification documents are officially deposited.