Updated

Turkey submitted its Mecca Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to parliament for ratification on October 20, moving NATO's second-largest army closer to a formal mutual defense pledge with Riyadh as it faces Houthi attacks. Under the pact, signed in August, an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all. A Turkish official said Ankara's contribution to the Saudi fight against the Houthis is expected to be limited to military equipment, intelligence sharing and weapons systems rather than direct combat involvement.