Özgür Özel: We will not support the Mecca Agreement, we will not send Turkish soldiers to Yemen's deserts

YENİ Party Chairman Özgür Özel announced that the party will not support the ratification of the Mecca Defense Agreement signed on August 7 between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan in the TBMM. Stating "we will never support sending Turkish soldiers to Yemen's deserts," Özel claimed that the agreement is being implemented as if it has already come into force without parliamentary approval.

Under the agreement, an attack on one of the three countries is considered an attack on all three. While Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen continue their attacks on Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of National Defense announced on October 8 that necessary measures were being discussed to provide Saudi Arabia with military forces and capabilities.

Defense Minister Yaşar Güler stated in a statement on October 23 that the aim of possible military support would be to strengthen deterrence, that conflict with the Houthis is not envisioned, and that the priority is to prevent new tensions.

The bill continues to be discussed in the TBMM Foreign Affairs Committee; a general assembly vote has not yet taken place.

Özel argued that the AKP has transformed its foreign policy into "bilateral dealings that prioritize the continuation of power rather than the nation's common interests." Özel's remarks, made at the opening of the YENİ Party Provincial Chairs meeting, were reported by Diken.