Decision to activate Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan Mecca Joint Defense Agreement (MJDA) don spark debate inside Turkey. Ankara dey push military assistance to defend Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against attacks from Houthi terrorists. Turkish opposition dey demand clarification of legal basis for sending forces, and dem warn say make dem no drag Turkey enter war inside Yemen.
On Wednesday, report by Middle East Eye reveal details of planned assistance. The package include air defense systems, electronic warfare, pilots, aircraft, and deployment of Turkish commandos. The dispute sharpened after emergency meeting wey dem hold for Riyadh on Monday.
Foreign ministers, defense ministers, and military chiefs of the three countries decide to immediately begin implementing mutual defense commitments. Dem also prepare for rapid deployment inside Saudi Arabia of agreed forces and capabilities. The decision na to strengthen preparedness against threats, military coordination, and joint defense capability.
But the announcement leave key questions unanswered. How many soldiers go go? Which systems go deploy? What each country go contribute? Who go command the forces? When deployment go start? The duration of the mission and conditions for expanding or ending am still no clear to public.
MJDA still never reach Turkish parliament for approval. Sources tell Turkish media say e may submit soon. Turkish MP Namik Tan demand clarification whether the document na binding defense agreement, memorandum of understanding, or joint declaration. He ask how dem fit implement am before lawmakers approve. Tan na member of opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). He previously serve as Turkey ambassador to Israel and US.
Turhan Comez, senior member of Good Party (IYI), warn say the developments fit lead to Turkish soldiers being sent to deserts of Yemen to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthis. He claim say government dey act in violation of constitution. Retired Turkish Rear-Admiral Yanki Bagcioglu also warn of operational risk. If Turkey take part in offensive activity or direct fighting inside Yemen, im forces and commercial ships fit become Houthi targets.
Middle East Eye cite two Turkish sources wey talk say technical teams, air defense systems, and electronic warfare equipment don dey inside Saudi Arabia since last year. Dem dey there for protection of critical infrastructure and energy facilities. Ankara dey prepare to add equipment, technicians, emergency response teams, and accompanying combat forces.
At later stage, subject to parliamentary approval, limited number of Turkish military commandos fit deploy. Experienced pilots and aircraft fit also go to deal with drone and ballistic missile attacks. The defense targets na Riyadh, holy cities of Mecca and Medina, and western section of East-West oil pipeline. The pipeline dey run from Abqaiq inside Eastern Province to Red Sea port of Yanbu.
Saudi sources talk say activity go coordinate for joint base wey Saudi Arabia and Pakistan dey run, alongside separate base for Turkish command. Senior Turkish official say 2010 training agreement allow limited technical presence, but further reinforcement require parliamentary approval. According to am, approval for sending forces fit advance before ratification of Mecca Alliance. The same official clarify say no plan to send large force or intervene directly inside Yemen.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan talk after Riyadh meeting say meeting to advance alliance institutions already dey planned. But developments between Yemen and Saudi Arabia require emergency gathering. According to Fidan, dem discuss options to support Saudi Arabia defense alongside ways to resolve crisis through dialogue. He describe Saudi approach as constructive and note say decisions reflect wishes of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Gular and military chief Selcuk Bayraktaroglu also take part for the meeting. Fidan say the two contribute to military, operational, and technical discussions. He note say work to establish alliance permanent institutions close to completion. During the meeting, Pakistani Lt.-Gen. (ret.) Nauman Mahmood dem appoint as MJDA secretary-general for three-year term.
MJDA dem sign on August 7 by Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The agreement stipulate say armed attack on one of the three countries go count as attack on all of dem. E also seek to expand security cooperation and joint deterrence. At time of signing, Turkish presidency present the agreement as one wey no dey directed against any particular country.
Inside statement from Riyadh, the three countries condemn attacks on cities, civilian facilities, and economic infrastructure inside Saudi Arabia. Dem also condemn attempts to strike Mecca and Medina. Dem frame the move toward practical measures as test of credibility of mutual defense commitment and way to strengthen deterrence.
The remaining gap dey between decision to provide assistance and definition of mission. Details wey dem reveal describe defense of Saudi territory. But questions about command, authority, and scope of involvement still follow the move. Debate inside Ankara expected to examine how to implement commitment to Riyadh, and what limits go prevent am from expanding into fighting inside Yemen.
