Turkey set to ratify defence pact with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan

Turkey's parliament is scheduled to ratify a trilateral defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on Wednesday, marking a significant expansion of Ankara's security partnerships in the Middle East and South Asia.

The agreement includes a collective defence clause that would commit Turkey's armed forces to support Saudi Arabia's defence, particularly as the kingdom faces mounting attacks from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militants. The pact underscores Turkey's strategic interests in the region and its alignment with key Gulf and South Asian powers.

The ratification comes as maritime security concerns intensify in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, where Houthi drone and missile strikes have targeted commercial shipping and military vessels. The attacks have prompted renewed focus on regional defence cooperation and prompted several nations to strengthen bilateral and multilateral security arrangements.

For Turkey, the agreement represents a deepening of its engagement beyond NATO and reflects its growing role as a security provider in South and Southeast Asia. The move also signals Ankara's intent to balance its Western alliances with stronger partnerships across the Muslim-majority world.

The defence pact is expected to facilitate military cooperation, including joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and coordination on counter-terrorism operations, among other collaborative initiatives between the three nations.