Mecca alliance in five questions

On November 5, the Turkish Parliament approved the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, which brings together Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan in a military alliance. With this step, the three countries have completed the internal ratification procedures necessary for the agreement to enter into force.

Once the parties submit their ratification documents to the Strategic Political and Defense Committee, the agreement, and thus the alliance itself, will officially enter into force.

The agreement places Türkiye within a new military alliance outside the framework of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Under the agreement, any attack launched by a foreign party on any of the three countries is considered an attack on all members of the coalition, obligating the parties to provide military support to each other.

In five questions, we review the Mecca Alliance and the objections raised by the Turkish opposition parties regarding it.

Why did Türkiye join the Mecca alliance?

Türkiye has long defended the principle of 'regional ownership', based on its conviction that regional problems should be solved through initiatives led by the countries of the region themselves.

Ankara believes that the failure of countries in the region to address their problems opens the door to the intervention of external forces, which often leads to aggravation of the situation.

During parliamentary discussions on the agreement, Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Levent Gumrukcu summarized his country's approach by saying: 'At a time when the problems in our region are becoming more complex, the three signatory countries have chosen not to wait for solutions from outside. Instead, it assumed its responsibilities itself, and took the first step towards building a regional security system based on cooperation and collective defense, while laying the legal basis for the institutional framework that will support it.

Turkey's goals in the medium and long term are to expand the Mecca Alliance, which in its first phase includes three countries, with other countries joining it over time, thus contributing to the establishment of a new security system in the Middle East.

In addition to the Mecca Alliance, Türkiye also participates in the Badr Alliance, which includes Pakistan, Qatar, and Indonesia. Through these initiatives, Ankara seeks to play a leadership and founding role in the emerging regional security mechanisms.

After establishing military bases in Qatar, Somalia, and Libya, reports indicate that Türkiye is also considering establishing a military base in Saudi Arabia, as part of its efforts to become a major party in the changing security system in the region.

Preventing the emergence of a security vacuum in the region, especially through cooperation with the Gulf states, is seen as another strategic goal for Turkey, should the United States completely withdraw from the Middle East in the future.

Recent developments, including the war launched by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28, its repercussions in the Strait of Hormuz, the turmoil in the Red Sea resulting from Houthi attacks, as well as the broader regional ramifications of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, are said to have accelerated efforts to create a Mecca alliance.

What are the most prominent provisions of the Mecca Alliance?

The agreement approved by the Turkish Parliament consists of 16 articles, and the first and second articles define its basic objectives.

Article 1 stipulates that “in the event that the territorial integrity, sovereignty, or internationally recognized borders of any of the parties are exposed to a threat or danger, the parties must use all necessary means to eliminate these threats or dangers.”

As for Article Two, which is similar to Article Five of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), it stipulates that “any armed attack originating from a foreign party against any of the parties shall be considered an attack on all parties.”

The agreement also includes provisions stipulating: strengthening cooperation in defense industries, holding regular consultations on security issues, organizing military training, and cooperation in combating terrorism.

The three countries also agreed to establish a permanent secretariat for the coalition in Saudi Arabia, headed by a Pakistani general.

The Strategic Political and Defense Committee will assume the task of the main decision-making body in the coalition.

The agreement allows other countries to join the alliance in the future, with the three founding countries taking decisions related to its expansion.

Will Türkiye send military forces to Saudi Arabia?

Türkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia announced the establishment of the Mecca Alliance on August 7.

On October 5, the Strategic Political and Defense Committee agreed to “take immediate measures to implement collective defense obligations on the ground, provide agreed upon military forces and capabilities, and ensure their rapid deployment in the Kingdom.”

Statements issued by Ankara indicate that any support provided to Saudi Arabia will be of a purely defensive nature, with no plans to launch operations or carry out military movements against the Houthis.

The Turkish government is expected to seek parliamentary approval before providing any military support.

What is the position of the government and opposition in Türkiye on the coalition?

The agreement was approved by the Justice and Development Party, the National Movement, and the Republican People's Party. On the other hand, other parties voted against it.

The Turkish government believes that the alliance is necessary to achieve regional stability and collective deterrence. President Erdogan emphasizes that the alliance is entirely defensive in nature.

Opposition criticism:

1. Implementation of the agreement began before its parliamentary ratification. 2. Security risks: Fear of Türkiye’s involvement in the conflicts between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. 3. NATO obligations: Participation may conflict with Türkiye’s responsibilities within the alliance. 4. Absence of a clear definition of threats.

Could Türkiye's membership in the Mecca Alliance affect its relations with the West?

Government statements indicate that Türkiye's relations with these countries will not cause problems with the West. Rather, Ankara believes that these alliances should be viewed positively as efforts to create new regional mechanisms.