Turkey and Qatar signed a mutual-defence agreement in Istanbul on Friday, November 13, 2026, promising to respond together if either country is attacked by an outside armed force.
The joint statement said the agreement is meant to strengthen their shared defence and regional security. The two governments also agreed to consult each other about security threats and broader regional and global defence issues. The agreement calls for more cooperation through joint military exercises, work between defence industries, and personnel training exchanges.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan signed it during talks with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The talks took place alongside the 12th session of the countries’ Supreme Strategic Committee. Qatar’s ruler travelled to Istanbul after attending the COP31 climate summit in southern Turkey.
The governments described the agreement as a commitment to protecting their sovereignty and territorial integrity. They did not publicly release its detailed terms. The announcement therefore does not explain what practical steps a joint response would require.
Erdoğan said the countries would keep working to prevent conflict from starting again in the Gulf. He also said they would promote dialogue and peace. The signing comes amid wider regional defence cooperation, including a separate agreement Turkey signed with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
That three-country agreement should not be treated as proof that the Qatar deal has the same terms.