Turkey Approves a 3-nation Defense Pact11/06 06:40

   

   ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Turkish legislators on Thursday ratified a defense 
cooperation agreement among Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as Riyadh seeks 
increased regional support in its conflict with Iran-backed Houthi rebels in 
neighboring Yemen.

   The vote also came as countries in the region remain anxious about the 
prospects of a new escalation in the U.S.-Iran war, which would likely spill 
over into neighboring countries. During previous rounds of fighting, Iran has 
lashed out at U.S.-allied Gulf Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia.

   The 16-article Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed in August, commits the 
three countries to regard an attack against one as an attack on all three, to 
work together to deter threats and deepen military cooperation, share 
intelligence and strengthen defense industry ties.

   It was approved by 279 votes to 119 in the 600-seat parliament, despite 
objections from opposition parties who argued that the agreement could embroil 
Turkey in regional wars and put Turkish soldiers in harm's way.

   "They brought this agreement to send Turkish soldiers to the deserts of 
Yemen," said Murat Emir, deputy leader of opposition New Party lawmakers. The 
loss of Ottoman soldiers in early 20th century conflicts in Yemen looms large 
in Turkish cultural memory.

   Fuat Oktay, chairman of parliament's foreign affairs committee and a member 
of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party, said Turkey would "not be 
drawn into an uncontrolled process against its will." He added that the 
deployment of troops would only be possible with future parliamentary approval.

   The Turkish officials have said Ankara is considering sending military 
assistance to Saudi Arabia but insist that the agreement is defensive and that 
no Turkish troops would be deployed to fight in Yemen or to attack the Houthis.

   Turkish troops, backed by a rapidly developing defense industry, make up the 
second-largest military in NATO. Any deployment of Turkish troops would require 
a separate approval by Turkey's parliament.

   Turkish and Pakistani officials have stressed that the agreement does not 
target Iran or any other country.

   The agreement was signed in the Saudi holy city of Mecca by Saudi Crown 
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Erdogan and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz 
Sharif. It is seen as part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to reduce its dependence 
on the United States and diversify its security partnerships.

   The deal showcases how close relations between Saudi Arabia and Turkey have 
grown, after being highly strained just a few years ago, including over the 
killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul by Saudi operatives.

   Ministers from the grouping have already met twice -- in Istanbul and in 
Riyadh -- while high-level delegations from the three countries held talks in 
Tehran last month to try to avert renewed fighting in the Iran war.

   During their meeting in Riyadh in September, the three countries agreed to 
immediately implement what they said were their collective defense commitments, 
including arrangements for the rapid deployment of agreed upon military forces 
and capabilities to Saudi Arabia. They did not elaborate.

   Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said last week during a conference 
in Bahrain that discussions were underway about Syria joining the pact. Syria 
has close relations with both Turkey and Saudi Arabia, and joining the pact 
could give it more strategic leverage against Israel, which has launched 
strikes in Syria and occupied part of the country's south since a rebel 
offensive ousted former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December 2024.

   A Turkish official confirmed that the issue of Syria joining is being 
discussed, but said the existing members of the pact were focused on efforts to 
"institutionalize" the agreement and until they do, "there will be no question 
of any third country participation." The official was not authorized to 
publicly discuss the issue.

   According to the agreement, the grouping's secretariat will be based in 
Saudi Arabia, and retired Pakistani Gen. Nauman Mahmood has been selected as 
its first secretary-general. He will serve a three-year term.

   The pact binds the parties for 10 years, after which they would need to 
provide a three-month notice to leave.