Turkiye says trilateral defense deal does not contradict NATO commitments

Turkiye on Friday rejected claims circulated on social media that its newly signed trilateral defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan conflicts with NATO's Article 5.



In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the Center for Combating Disinformation of Turkiye's Communications Directorate described the allegations as "entirely unfounded" and "a clearly orchestrated attempt to create a false perception."



The center said the defense agreement does not conflict with Turkiye's NATO commitments.



NATO's Article 5 enshrines the principle of collective defense, stipulating that an armed attack against one member state shall be considered an attack against all members.



Leaders of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan gathered on Friday in the Saudi city of Makkah and signed the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, which stipulates that any armed attack against one of the three countries will be considered an attack against them all.