Turkey Seeks Parliamentary Approval to Deploy Troops to Saudi Arabia
Turkey seeks parliamentary mandate to send troops to Saudi Arabia under trilateral defense pact.
2 min read
Turkey’s ruling AKP party is seeking parliamentary approval to deploy troops to Saudi Arabia to defend against Iran-backed Houthi attacks from Yemen, fulfilling mutual defense obligations under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement. The agreement, signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan in August, includes provisions similar to NATO Article V, requiring all members to treat an attack on one as an attack on all.
Defensive Deployment and Military Support
An unnamed AKP lawmaker told Reuters that the proposed deployment would be purely defensive, with Turkish forces prohibited from participating in offensive actions against the Houthis. The first wave of troops would include experts in missile and drone defense. Two Turkish officials previously stated that Turkey would only provide military equipment and intelligence to Saudi Arabia, making a defensive troop deployment a significant upgrade to its defense commitment.
Trilateral Pact and Houthi Attacks
The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, named after the Saudi city where it was ratified, is designed to strengthen collective deterrence against aggression. However, the agreement has become contentious due to the Houthis’ increasingly destructive attacks on Saudi civilian targets, which have drawn outrage from much of the Muslim world. Turkey has condemned these attacks but has been reluctant to take action, as its trilateral pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan appears to require a response.
Recent Meetings and Deployment Delays
The three signatories held an emergency meeting in Riyadh on October 5 to discuss their joint response to Houthi aggression. Pakistan and Turkey agreed to provide military forces and capabilities for rapid deployment. However, three weeks later, no Turkish or Pakistani troops have been deployed to Saudi ground, despite Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stating that forces are playing a supporting role in areas such as reconnaissance.
Parliamentary Process and Military Support
Turkey’s government has initiated the process of ratifying the Mecca agreement in its parliament. The bill authorizing troop deployment to Saudi Arabia will reportedly be considered after Turkish parliamentary speaker Numan Kurtulmus returns from a trip to Kyrgyzstan. If approved, Turkey will provide low- and medium-altitude aerial defense systems, assistance in drone technologies, and electronic warfare support to Saudi Arabia, with the Saudis offering a base for Turkish operations.
Source: Breitbart
