Turkey is preparing to seek parliamentary approval for a mandate that would allow it to send military personnel to Saudi Arabia under a trilateral defence agreement signed with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in August.
The development would bring NATO’s second-largest military closer to establishing a formal mutual defence commitment with Riyadh as Houthi attacks continue to escalate.
A lawmaker from Turkey’s ruling AK Party told Reuters on Wednesday that the government would present the mandate to parliament once lawmakers approve a bill ratifying the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
Ankara submitted the agreement to parliament for ratification on Tuesday, representing a major step towards formalising the three-way defence partnership between Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
The proposed mandate would establish the legal framework required for Turkey to deploy its military personnel to Saudi Arabia under the agreement.
Initial Troop Deployment to Prioritise Defensive Assistance
The AK Party lawmaker, speaking anonymously, stated that Turkish military personnel sent to foreign countries under the agreement would not take part in offensive operations.
The first phase of deployment is expected to include technical staff and specialists tasked with supporting air defence, electronic warfare technologies and other defensive systems.
Previously, two officials informed Reuters that Turkey’s role in the alliance was likely to focus on supplying military equipment, sharing intelligence and providing weapons systems. They also noted that no other type of deployment had been carried out under the alliance to date.
Defence Agreement Signed as Houthi Attacks Intensify
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in August. Turkey’s parliamentary ratification of the pact is aimed at advancing the three nations towards a formal mutual defence framework.
The development comes amid Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. Ankara has denounced these attacks and has also agreed to participate in a Saudi-led coalition focused on safeguarding maritime navigation in the Red Sea.
The planned deployment would further strengthen Turkey’s involvement in the trilateral defence partnership. However, the number of troops to be sent and the timeline for their deployment will depend on parliamentary approval and decisions taken afterwards.
