The Aporia
Makkah pact clarity. (2026, October 22). Dawn. https://www.dawn.com/news/2038882/makkah-pact-clarity
“Makkah pact clarity.” Dawn, 22 Oct. 2026, https://www.dawn.com/news/2038882/makkah-pact-clarity.
“Makkah pact clarity.” Dawn, October 22, 2026. https://www.dawn.com/news/2038882/makkah-pact-clarity.
Dated from the outlet's own feed. Check the original for its byline.
On October 21, 2026, Turkey submitted the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement to its parliament for ratification after signing it with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in August. The agreement mirrors NATO's Article 5 by stating that an armed attack on any of the three countries is considered an attack on all, requiring collective defense under UN Charter guidelines. While Turkey’s contribution may be limited to military equipment and intelligence sharing, no troops will deploy offensively. The pact aims to bolster regional cooperation amid increased tensions due to the ongoing conflict with Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Additionally, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Turkey signed a separate agreement on October 21 in Doha to deepen defense industry cooperation.
Even the sincerest effort to bring peace to the Gulf, Yemen, and the wider Middle East will come to naught if the US and Israel continue with their provocative behaviour.
A strike on Iran after the Israeli and US elections would be a massive blunder, and if there are any mature advisers left in Washington, they should talk the US president out of making any such move, besides warning Tel Aviv against such arrogant action.
Iran may be under pressure, but as the past several months have shown, it has the capacity to withstand considerable pain inflicted on it by the US and Israel. Fresh aggression can kick off a firestorm that will be in no one’s control, hence it is best to abandon such reckless plans.