The decision to activate Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan's Mecca Joint Defense Agreement (MJDA) is sparking debate within Turkey. While Ankara is advancing military assistance to defend the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against attacks from Houthi terrorists, the Turkish opposition is demanding clarification of the legal basis for sending forces and is warning against being dragged into a war in Yemen.
At the same time, a Wednesday report by Middle East Eye reveals details of the planned assistance, from air defense systems and electronic warfare to pilots, aircraft, and the deployment of Turkish commandos.
The dispute sharpened following the emergency meeting held in Riyadh on Monday. The respective foreign ministers, defense ministers, and military chiefs of the three countries decided to immediately begin implementing the mutual defense commitments and prepare for the rapid deployment in Saudi Arabia of the agreed-upon forces and capabilities.
The decision was intended to strengthen preparedness against the threats, military coordination, and the joint defense capability. However, the announcement left key questions unanswered, including how many soldiers will be sent, which systems will be deployed, what each country's contribution will be, who will command the forces, and when the deployment will begin. The duration of the mission and the conditions for either expanding or ending it were also not clarified to the public.
The MJDA has still not been brought before the Turkish parliament for approval, and sources told Turkish media outlets it may be submitted soon. Turkish MP Namik Tan demanded clarification as to whether the document is a binding defense agreement, a memorandum of understanding, or a joint declaration, and asked how it can be implemented before lawmakers approve it.
Turkey's former Israel ambassador queries legality behind Mecca pact before Ankara's parliament approved it
Tan is a member of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). He previously served as Turkey's ambassador to both Israel and the US, respectively.
Turhan Comez, a senior member of the Good Party (IYI), warned that the developments could lead to Turkish soldiers being sent to the deserts of Yemen to defend Saudi Arabia against the Houthis, and claimed that the government is acting in violation of the constitution.
Retired Turkish Rear-Admiral Yanki Bagcioglu also warned of an operational risk, namely that if Turkey takes part in offensive activity or direct fighting in Yemen, its forces and commercial ships could become Houthi targets.
Middle East Eye cited two Turkish sources who said that technical teams, air defense systems, and electronic warfare equipment have been in Saudi Arabia since last year, for the protection of critical infrastructure and energy facilities. Ankara is preparing to add equipment, technicians, emergency response teams, and accompanying combat forces.
At a later stage, subject to parliamentary approval, a limited number of Turkish military commandos may be sent, as well as experienced pilots and aircraft to deal with drone and ballistic missile attacks. The described defense targets are Riyadh, the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, and the western section of the East-West oil pipeline, which runs from Abqaiq in the Eastern Province to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
Saudi sources said that the activity would be coordinated at a joint base run by Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, alongside a separate base for the Turkish command. A senior Turkish official said that a 2010 training agreement allows a limited technical presence, but that further reinforcement requires parliamentary approval. According to him, approval for sending the forces may be advanced before ratification of the Mecca Alliance. The same official also clarified that there is no plan to send a large force or to intervene directly in Yemen.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said after the meeting in Riyadh that a meeting to advance the alliance's institutions had already been planned, but that the developments between Yemen and Saudi Arabia required an emergency gathering. According to Fidan, they discussed options to support Saudi Arabia's defense alongside ways to resolve the crisis through dialogue. He described the Saudi approach as constructive and noted that the decisions reflect the wishes of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Gular and military chief Selcuk Bayraktaroglu also took part in the meeting. Fidan said that the two contributed to the military, operational, and technical discussions. He noted that the work to establish the alliance's permanent institutions is close to completion. During the meeting, Pakistani Lt.-Gen. (ret.) Nauman Mahmood was appointed MJDA secretary-general for a three-year term.
What is the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, and when was it signed?
MJDA was signed on August 7 by Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
It stipulates that an armed attack on one of the three countries will be considered an attack on all of them, and seeks to expand security cooperation and joint deterrence. At the time of the signing, the Turkish presidency presented the agreement as one that is not directed against any particular country.
In the statement from Riyadh, the three countries condemned the attacks on cities, civilian facilities, and economic infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, as well as attempts to strike Mecca and Medina. They framed the move toward practical measures as a test of the credibility of their mutual defense commitment and a way to strengthen deterrence.
The remaining gap is between the decision to provide assistance and the definition of the mission: the details that were revealed describe the defense of Saudi territory, but questions regarding command, authority, and the scope of involvement still accompany the move. The debate in Ankara is expected to examine how to implement the commitment to Riyadh, and what the limits will be that would prevent it from expanding into fighting inside Yemen.