Turkey will ask parliament for approval to send military staff to Saudi Arabia, Reuters reported Wednesday. The move would come under a defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, a lawmaker from the ruling AK Party said.

The government sent the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement to parliament on Tuesday for approval, Reuters and the Associated Press reported. The three countries signed the pact in August.

The AP said the move brings Turkey closer to bolstering Saudi defenses. The kingdom faces attacks from Houthi rebels. Reuters said the step moves NATO's second-largest army closer to a formal pledge to defend Riyadh.

The lawmaker spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity. The lawmaker said the troop mandate would go to parliament once the bill approving the pact passes.

No Turkish troops sent abroad under the pact would take part in attacks, the lawmaker said, according to Reuters. At first, Turkey would send technical staff and experts. They would help with air defenses, electronic warfare and other defense work.

That would go beyond what officials had earlier described. Two officials had earlier said Turkey's role would likely be limited to military gear, shared intelligence and weapons systems, Reuters reported. They said no other kind of troop move had taken place under the pact so far.

Turkey has condemned the Houthi attacks, Reuters reported. It has also agreed to join a Saudi-led coalition to keep shipping safe in the Red Sea.

Reuters and the AP did not give a date for a vote in parliament. The timing of the second request would depend on when the pact bill passes, according to the lawmaker's account to Reuters.

What we know: Turkey has sent the defense pact to parliament and plans a separate request to send staff to Saudi Arabia.
What we don't: When parliament will vote, and how many personnel Turkey would send.