Turkey and Qatar Launch Joint Defense Agreement to Strengthen Military Cooperation

Turkey and Qatar launched a joint defense agreement on Friday, according to the Turkish Presidency, following a meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Istanbul.

Achieving Peace
The Turkish Presidency added in a statement on "X": "President Erdogan affirmed that we will continue working together to prevent the recurrence of war in the Gulf region, establish a foundation for dialogue, and achieve peace."

The statement quoted Erdogan as saying that Turkey and Qatar are working to develop and diversify their partnership in the energy sector, and that their cooperation in the defense sector will continue to grow.

The statement added: "President Erdogan affirmed that the joint defense agreement signed by Turkey and Qatar today will add another dimension to our brotherhood."

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan signed a joint defense agreement in Mecca in August, coinciding with conflicts on multiple fronts in the region.

The Turkish Parliament approved the "Mecca Joint Defense Agreement" last week, paving the way for Ankara to send military support to Saudi Arabia, which is struggling to repel attacks by Iran-aligned Yemeni Houthis, according to Reuters.

Under the agreement signed by the three regional powers in August, an attack on one party is considered an attack on all.