Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced on Saturday that Turkey is prepared to assist Saudi Arabia with military support amid ongoing attacks from Yemen’s Houthi forces. This support would be provided under a trilateral defence pact that also includes Pakistan, highlighting the seriousness of the situation regarding Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Fidan stated that the alliance agreement, known as the “Mecca Joint Defence Agreement,” was signed last month and stipulates that an armed attack on any of the three countries would be considered an attack on all. He noted that Saudi Arabia may have specific military needs, particularly in technical areas, and Turkey is ready to meet those needs as part of their commitment to solidarity.
The Houthis have been intensifying their attacks on Saudi Arabia since declaring a naval blockade against the kingdom in July. These assaults have targeted key Saudi cities, energy infrastructure, and shipping routes, posing a threat to global oil supplies and the Red Sea route for Gulf exports, especially as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted.
In a related context, US President Donald Trump has previously declined requests from Saudi Arabia for military assistance against the Houthis, who had reached a ceasefire agreement with the United States last year following a two-month bombing campaign against them.
Fidan expressed that it is unacceptable for Saudi Arabia to be drawn into the US-Iran conflict, asserting that the kingdom does not wish to participate in the ongoing hostilities. He mentioned that proposals have been made to all parties involved to seek an end to the fighting, urging acceptance of these initiatives to prevent further economic repercussions.
Turkey, which possesses NATO’s second-largest army, has indicated that the defence pact with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is open to expansion and does not aim to replace existing alliances. Meanwhile, Pakistan has clarified that there have been no discussions regarding a military response under the Mecca agreement in relation to the Houthi attacks, although it remains prepared to act when necessary.
Earlier on Saturday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on sensitive sites in Riyadh, including missile and drone strikes, shortly after significant smoke was observed near the city’s main airport. Turkey has condemned these attacks and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
For further details, visit Gulf Times.
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