Turkey, Qatar Sign Mutual Defense Agreement in Istanbul Against External Attacks

Turkey and Qatar signed a mutual defense agreement in Istanbul on Friday, pledging a unified stance against any external armed attack targeting either country, according to a joint statement issued after talks between their leaders.

Algemeiner, in a report by Reuters and Algemeiner staff, said Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan signed the accord during a meeting in Istanbul with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. It said the joint communique followed the 12th session of the two countries' Supreme Strategic Committee. The New Region reported that Erdogan received the emir at the Dolmabahce Presidential Palace, citing a statement from Turkey's communications directorate.

Al-Monitor quoted the joint statement, carried by Qatar's state news agency, as saying the agreement was "aimed at bolstering collective defence and achieving regional security and stability, as well as adopting a unified position in the face of any external armed attack targeting either or both parties". Algemeiner reported that the two sides agreed to consult on threats to their security, on regional and global security issues and on defense policies. They also agreed to expand cooperation through joint military exercises, defense-industry cooperation and personnel training exchanges.

SSBCrack reported that Qatar's Foreign Ministry set out similar terms in a statement on X. It said the ministry described the agreement as intended to protect the countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that it also covers cooperation in cultural, economic, humanitarian and educational fields.

Outlets quoted Erdogan's remarks on the pact differently. Al-Monitor quoted him, according to his office, as saying: "A mutual defence agreement signed by Turkey and Qatar today will add a new dimension to the brotherly ties between the two countries." SSBCrack wrote that he said it would add "another dimension" to the relationship, and noted that the Turkish presidency gave few details of the agreement.

Al-Monitor said Erdogan's office had earlier announced the agreement without going into its contents. The New Region reported that the signing had not been independently announced.

The New Region said Qatari state media noted that several other bilateral accords and memoranda of understanding were signed in Istanbul on Friday. They covered consumer protection, market monitoring, education, and cooperation in peacebuilding, reconciliation and conflict resolution. Algemeiner reported that the joint statement also expressed readiness to pursue energy cooperation, particularly in liquefied natural gas trade.

According to Al-Monitor, the leaders also discussed the Iran war, Israel's attacks on Gaza and the humanitarian situation there, efforts towards normalisation in Syria, and the latest developments in Libya. SSBCrack reported that Qatar's Foreign Ministry said the two countries called for full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza and would coordinate support for its early recovery and reconstruction.

Al-Monitor said Erdogan told the meeting that Turkey and Qatar would keep working together to prevent a renewed outbreak of war in the Gulf region and to promote dialogue and peace. Al-Monitor added that the emir travelled to Istanbul after attending a United Nations climate summit in southern Turkey.

Algemeiner reported that Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a joint defense agreement in Mecca in August, under which an attack on one party constitutes an attack on all. It said Turkey's parliament ratified that pact last week, clearing the way for Ankara to send military support to Saudi Arabia. Al-Monitor reported that Turkey has said the Mecca pact is not aimed at any other country and remains open to other states, including Egypt.

The New Region reported that Ankara and Islamabad have deployed troops to Saudi Arabia, and that both have stressed their role is purely defensive and does not involve combat operations in Yemen. Al-Monitor added that Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkey signed a multilateral memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation in Doha in October, known as "Badr".