Turkey submits Saudi-Pakistan defence pact to parliament for ratification, sources say

Reuters reports that the three countries signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August, under which an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all.[1]According to a text seen by Reuters, the agreement's first article says the parties shall use "all necessary means" to eliminate threats to one another's territorial integrity, sovereignty or internationally recognised borders[1]. Middle East Eye, which says it obtained the full text, reports that the pact allows signatories to withdraw only after 10 years have elapsed from its entry into force[2].Al-Monitor reports that ratification would pave the way for Turkey to deploy troops to Saudi Arabia amid attacks by Iran-backed Houthis.[3] Turkish officials told Al-Monitor that any deployment is likely to be limited to training, advisory services and military equipment support rather than a large troop contingent[3].A Turkish official who spoke on condition of anonymity told Reuters that no other form of deployment had taken place under the alliance so far.[1] Reuters also reports that Turkey's constitution requires separate permission from parliament to deploy troops abroad regardless of any international agreement.[1]According to Reuters, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that the Mecca Agreement was not an "offensive agreement," adding that Turkey would not send troops to another country to carry out attacks on its territory.[1]Two sources told Reuters that Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, currently visiting Kyrgyzstan, will refer the agreement to parliament's foreign affairs commission upon his return[1]. Another source said the commission could debate the agreement as early as Friday[1].