Turkey and Qatar Sign Mutual Defence Pact to Strengthen Regional Security

Turkey and Qatar announced on Friday the signing of a mutual defence agreement designed to establish a “unified position” in response to external aggression.

The announcement followed a meeting in Istanbul between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Erdogan’s office stated that the pact would further deepen ties between the two regional allies.

The Qatari ruler traveled to Istanbul after participating in the United Nations COP31 climate summit held in southern Turkey.

“The two sides welcomed the signing of the mutual defence agreement between Qatar and Turkey,” a joint statement distributed by Qatar’s state news agency said.

The agreement seeks to “bolster collective defence, achieve regional security and stability, and adopt a unified position against any external armed attack targeting either or both parties,” the statement added.

“The two sides agreed to consult on security threats and enhance cooperation through joint military drills, defence-industry collaboration, and personnel training exchanges,” the statement said.

Erdogan’s office had previously disclosed the agreement without releasing specifics about its contents.

“The mutual defence agreement signed today will add a new dimension to the brotherly ties between our two countries,” Erdogan said during the meeting, per his office’s statement.

Erdogan further stated that Turkey and Qatar would expand their cooperation in the defence industry.

Regional Context: Iran Conflict

In August, Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia signed a regional defence pact under which the three nations would provide mutual assistance if any one of them came under attack.

Ratified by Turkey’s parliament last week, the pact connects NATO member Turkey—home to the alliance’s second-largest military—with Pakistan, the Muslim world’s only nuclear-armed state, and Saudi Arabia, the Gulf’s leading power.

Turkey has stated that the agreement is not directed at any specific country and remains open to other states, including Egypt.

In October, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Turkey signed a multilateral memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation in Doha.

Dubbed “Badr,” the agreement seeks to strengthen defence cooperation among the participating countries.

Erdogan and the Qatari emir also discussed the war involving Iran.

Turkey and Qatar will continue working together “to prevent a renewed outbreak of war in the Gulf region and to promote dialogue and peace,” Erdogan said.

The leaders also addressed Israel’s attacks on Gaza, the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory, efforts to normalize relations in Syria, and recent developments in Libya, according to the statement.

Source link