Turkish Parliament Ratifies Makkah Joint Defense Agreement With Saudi Arabia

Signed in August, the agreement stipulates that an armed attack on one member state constitutes an attack on all three.

Lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development Party, the Nationalist Movement Party, and the opposition Republican People's Party backed the measure. During parliamentary debates, ruling party lawmaker Ziya Altunyaldiz stated that the pact aims to expand regional security cooperation and prevent conflicts rather than target any third country. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that the alliance remains open to other regional countries sharing a vision for peace.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office announced that retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood, appointed on September 23 as the first secretary general of the alliance, is expected to assume his responsibilities in Riyadh soon. The ratification clears the path for Ankara to send military support to Riyadh as Saudi Arabia faces ongoing Houthi missile and drone attacks that have impacted aviation infrastructure, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport. Concurrently, flydubai announced that its flights to Riyadh and Abha remain suspended through November 16 following the attacks.