Makkah defence pact binds three nations for 10 years

Turkiye has submitted the Makkah Joint Defence Alliance, signed with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, to its parliament for ratification, marking a significant step towards formalising trilateral military cooperation among the three countries.

The agreement, signed in August 2026, establishes a mutual defence framework under which an armed attack on any member will be treated as an attack on all three. The pact commits the signatories to provide assistance against external aggression and protect one another’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally recognised borders.

Under the agreement, the countries will use all necessary means to address security threats. They will determine the nature and extent of assistance after assessing the requirements of the country under attack, taking into account their available resources and military capabilities.

The arrangement resembles Article 5 of NATO’s founding treaty, which establishes the principle of collective defence. It also refers to Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, recognising the right of individual and collective self-defence against armed attacks.

Pact establishes a 10-year minimum commitment

The agreement stipulates that none of the three countries can withdraw during the first 10 years after it enters into force. Following that period, a member wishing to leave must provide at least three months’ written notice to the other signatories through diplomatic channels.

The pact will remain in force indefinitely unless a member withdraws in accordance with its provisions. Withdrawal will not affect previously agreed activities and projects. Obligations concerning the protection of classified information will also remain binding.

The agreement further requires the three countries to protect confidential documents and information exchanged under the alliance. Such material cannot be shared with governments, companies or individuals outside the agreement. Any amendments will require consultations and unanimous approval from the designated core parties.

Turkiye’s role expected to focus on defence technology

Turkiye’s participation is expected to centre on military equipment, intelligence sharing and weapons systems, rather than deploying troops abroad to conduct military operations.

A Turkish official said no other form of military deployment had taken place under the alliance so far. Ankara has also emphasised that the agreement is defensive in nature and does not provide a basis for offensive military action.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said his country would not send troops to another state to launch attacks from its territory. Turkiye’s constitution requires separate parliamentary authorisation for overseas troop deployments, regardless of any international agreement.

The alliance also envisages cooperation in defence production, intelligence, logistics, counterterrorism, joint military training, research and the development of advanced technologies.

Parliamentary review expected to begin soon

Turkish parliamentary sources said Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus would refer the agreement to the Foreign Affairs Committee after returning from his visit to Kyrgyzstan. The committee could begin debating the pact as early as Friday.

Ratification is necessary for Turkiye to complete its formal approval of the agreement.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s communications director, Burhanettin Duran, described the move as an important milestone in strengthening strategic cooperation among the three countries. He said the partnership aimed to improve collective deterrence, enhance defence capabilities and promote regional security and stability.

Regional tensions drive closer defence coordination

The development comes amid heightened regional security concerns, including attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement on Saudi Arabia. Earlier this month, representatives of the three countries agreed at an emergency meeting in Riyadh to facilitate the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia.

Turkiye has condemned the Houthi attacks and expressed willingness to help address Saudi Arabia’s military technology requirements. Ankara has also agreed to join a Saudi-led coalition aimed at ensuring safe navigation in the Red Sea.