Politics
Turkish Parliament set to debate Mecca deal bill
Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee will begin deliberations on Tuesday on the Mecca Defense Alliance. The bill on the ratification of the alliance will be presented to lawmakers, including opposition members, who have argued that the deal cannot be implemented and that Türkiye cannot dispatch troops to other countries before Parliament ratifies the agreement signed in Saudi Arabia last August.
The main opposition New Party (YP) has already announced that it would vote against the bill, but it is expected to pass with the votes of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and its government ally, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). The Republican People’s Party (CHP) has signaled that it may endorse the bill, though it remains skeptical of the deal. Its leader, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, remarked last week that the party would oppose it if it found “even a single clause running against the interests of Türkiye.”
Türkiye has no plans to engage Yemen’s Houthi rebels in combat under its trilateral defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, Defense Minister Yaşar Güler said Friday, stressing that any Turkish military support for Riyadh would focus on strengthening deterrence and preventing further regional escalation.
“We absolutely do not envisage entering into any clashes with the Houthis,” Güler told Star TV, emphasizing that Türkiye’s priority was to prevent new tensions and contribute to regional security and stability.
He said potential Turkish military assistance to Saudi Arabia would follow a model similar to Ankara’s existing military cooperation with Qatar, focusing primarily on deterrence rather than direct involvement in hostilities.
“In this context, as in Qatar, the primary objective of our potential military support for Saudi Arabia would be to strengthen deterrence,” Güler said.
The agreement, which commits the three countries to regard an armed attack against one member as an attack against all, has raised questions about the extent of Türkiye’s potential military involvement amid continued Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia.
Güler clarified that the scope of any Turkish assistance would be determined only after Parliament ratifies the agreement and the necessary legal procedures are completed.
He said Ankara would then evaluate Saudi Arabia’s requests within the framework of parliamentary authorization before deciding on the nature and extent of its support.
The minister reiterated that Türkiye’s approach was aimed at strengthening collective security while avoiding actions that could trigger further military confrontation in the region.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna hailed Türkiye’s contribution to the defense of the Baltic states, as he met with newly appointed Turkish Ambassador Yonca Özçeri on Tuesday.
“The Turkish Air Force is currently contributing to the defence of the Baltic States from Ämari Air Base, and just last week we marked the 35th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Estonia and Türkiye,” Tshakna said on X.
He continued by saying that it was a pleasure to meet with the Turkish ambassador, ” to discuss how we can further strengthen the friendship and deepen cooperation between our countries.”
Türkiye and Estonia established ties through a friendship and cooperation treaty signed in 1924 and restored diplomatic relations in 1991 following Estonia’s independence from the Soviet Union. The two NATO allies maintain close cooperation in international organizations, while bilateral trade reached $606 million in 2025, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed bilateral relations, regional and global developments, and the selection of the next United Nations secretary-general during a phone call, according to a statement released Tuesday.
During the conversation, Erdoğan stressed that the next U.N. chief should possess the vision and experience needed to restore the organization’s role as a hub for multilateral diplomacy and effectively implement necessary reforms.
The two leaders also reviewed the process of appointing a successor to the current U.N. secretary-general.
Erdoğan invited Macron to attend the COP31 Leaders Summit, which Türkiye is set to host.
Macron, meanwhile, extended his congratulations to Erdoğan on the occasion of Türkiye’s Republic Day, celebrated annually on Oct. 29.
Egypt discussed regional de-escalation efforts with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), emphasizing coordination through a four-way ministerial mechanism involving Türkiye and Pakistan, according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate phone calls Tuesday with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed, the ministry said in two separate statements Wednesday.
During his call with bin Farhan, Abdelatty discussed regional developments and “efforts to contain the current crisis amid growing risks of escalation,” stressing the need to “advance political and peaceful solutions through dialogue.”
The two foreign ministers agreed to “continue close consultations and coordination bilaterally and through a four-way ministerial mechanism that also includes Türkiye and Pakistan.”
The mechanism brings together Egypt, Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia to strengthen consultation and coordination on de-escalation and support political solutions to regional crises.
The foreign ministers of the four countries met last month on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss regional and international developments, according to a joint statement released after the meeting.
The ministers stressed the need for closer consultation and coordination among their governments to promote peace, security and economic stability across the Middle East and the broader region.
The call came a day after Egypt’s Parliament approved, by a two-thirds majority, a mandate for President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to take necessary measures to support Saudi Arabia and defend its territory, sovereignty and holy sites, in coordination with the kingdom.
It also comes amid ongoing military escalation between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi group since July, including Houthi attacks on civil aviation facilities and energy infrastructure in the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia has led a coalition since March 2015 in support of Yemen’s internationally recognized government against the Houthis, who have controlled Sanaa and several provinces since September 2014.
In a separate statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said Abdelatty and his Emirati counterpart discussed the latest regional developments, particularly growing indications of possible escalation in the coming period.
Abdelatty stressed the need for regional countries to “unite their efforts to reach peaceful solutions and return all parties to a peaceful political track to prevent the region from sliding into a more dangerous phase of the current crisis.”
The call came as mediation efforts continue to contain tensions between Washington and Tehran amid ongoing disagreements over the conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
On Feb. 28, the U.S. and Israel launched a war against Iran, which responded with attacks on Israel and US military facilities in Arab countries.
On June 18, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding and began negotiations that later collapsed over disagreements, including maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic passage for global energy and goods supplies.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairperson Devlet Bahçeli at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on Tuesday, with discussions expected to focus on key domestic and regional developments.
The meeting began at 2 p.m. local time, according to Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran.
The leaders were expected to discuss recent developments in Türkiye’s “terror-free Türkiye” initiative, aimed at ending decades of terrorism, alongside ongoing efforts to draft a new constitution.
The initiative began in 2024 after a landmark speech by Bahçeli, which urged the jailed ringleader of the PKK, Abdullah Öcalan, to call on the PKK to lay down arms. Öcalan responded in February 2025 and made the historic call to the group that has killed tens of thousands of people across Türkiye since the 1980s. Since then, a disarmament process has been underway, while Türkiye plans to introduce new laws and regulations to accommodate it, namely by offering leniency to PKK members not involved in acts of terrorism.
Regional issues, including the Türkiye-Libya maritime boundary agreement, recently approved by Libyan House of Representatives, were also expected to feature on the agenda.
The talks could also address the Mecca motion expected to reach Parliament and the Badr Memorandum.
Erdoğan had previously signaled that he could meet Bahçeli in the near future.
The meeting marked their fourth encounter this year, following previous talks on Jan. 21, April 30 and Aug. 26.
Türkiye unveiled a new digital sovereignty strategy Tuesday aimed at strengthening cybersecurity, reducing reliance on foreign technologies and protecting critical infrastructure, as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan chaired a high-level meeting on emerging cyber threats and artificial intelligence risks.
The strategy was presented during the second meeting of the Cybersecurity Board at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, according to a statement from the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications.
Officials reviewed the impact of global and regional geopolitical developments on cybersecurity, recent international cyber incidents and the evolving nature of digital threats.
The board also examined how advances in artificial intelligence are reshaping the scale, speed and sophistication of cyberattacks.
Particular attention was given to algorithmic manipulation and cognitive influence operations conducted through digital platforms, including their potential implications for national security and societal resilience.
The statement emphasized that digital sovereignty has become a strategic priority for Türkiye’s national security and development policies, alongside technological independence, protection of critical infrastructure and stronger cyber deterrence capabilities.
The newly developed Digital Sovereignty Strategy seeks to enhance Türkiye’s control over its digital infrastructure, reduce dependence on foreign suppliers in critical technologies and expand domestic technological capabilities.
Authorities agreed that relevant institutions would implement decisions aligned with the strategy’s objectives, monitor progress and regularly assess results.
The board also called for closer coordination among government agencies, improved joint risk assessment capabilities and more consistent implementation of cybersecurity measures across sectors.
Given the ability of cyber threats to spread rapidly and disrupt multiple industries simultaneously, officials reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation among public institutions, private companies and academia.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi, who attended the meeting, said Türkiye was determined to protect its digital domain with the same resolve it applies to safeguarding its physical borders.
“Digital sovereignty is an integral part of our national security,” Çiftçi said in a statement shared on social media.
He said the meeting addressed global cyber threats, emerging risks associated with artificial intelligence and the national security implications of algorithmic manipulation and influence operations.
Çiftçi also emphasized the importance of strengthening domestic technological capabilities and building a comprehensive cybersecurity framework through cooperation between government, industry and academic institutions.
“We will protect not only our physical borders but also our cyber homeland and strengthen our digital sovereignty with the same determination and resolve,” he said.
“Someone whom the public can trust, who can address their needs, and who is knowledgeable and experienced.” This is how the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) general coordinator Gürsel Tekin described the party’s presidential candidate. “We have someone in mind, and our chairperson will announce it when the time comes,” he told journalists on Monday in Ankara in response to a question about whether the CHP would nominate a candidate in the next general election.
Was it Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the party’s chair? Tekin did not answer the question, saying only that they had plenty of names in mind and that these would be discussed among party members before the next election.
The next election is scheduled for 2028, although the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has signaled that it could be brought forward so that incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan can run again. The CHP has voiced support for holding early elections under those circumstances.
Erdoğan’s most serious rival is expected to be the candidate of the main opposition New Party (YP). The CHP, meanwhile, secured its highest vote share in decades under Kılıçdaroğlu’s leadership in 2023, when he ran as the candidate of a six-party opposition alliance. His defeat to Erdoğan in the presidential runoff paved the way for his ouster as CHP leader. In an intraparty vote in November 2023, he lost to Özgür Özel, who is now chairperson of the YP. Kılıçdaroğlu returned to his post in May after a court ruled that Özel’s victory was questionable amid allegations of vote-buying. Özel initially appealed the ruling before founding the YP in July.
The CHP also plans to hold a congress soon to elect its leadership again. Kılıçdaroğlu has been vague about whether he intends to run, but Tekin said he was “perfectly eligible.”
“Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu has to lead the party before it reaches safe harbor,” Tekin said, referring to the turmoil within the party, where most members and lawmakers have switched to the YP.
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