Taking on the Houthis? Turkey could pay a steep price
Taking on the Houthis? Turkey could pay a steep price Submitted by Ragip Soylu on Wed, 09/16/2026 - 09:02 Ankara is preparing defensive support for Saudi Arabia, but a direct confrontation could disrupt Red Sea supply routes sustaining its military and energy ambitions in Africa Turkey's Somali Naval Task Group on an escort and protection mission for the Cagri Bey Drilling Ship and support…
Turkey is preparing defensive support for Saudi Arabia, but a direct confrontation with the Houthis could disrupt Red Sea supply routes vital for Turkey's military and energy ambitions in Africa. The Somali Naval Task Group is escorting a drilling ship and support vessels off the coast of Somalia, where Turkey has a military training base.
Turkey has signed a defense pact with Saudi Arabia, but has not yet ratified it. Regional experts suggest Turkey could use its relationships with Saudi Arabia and Iran to defuse tensions while deploying military equipment to help Riyadh defend itself. Turkey's presence in Somalia is crucial as it supplies heavy equipment and naval rotations that move through the Red Sea via the Suez route.
Although Turkey has a naval presence in the region, a confrontation with the Houthis could strain relations with Baghdad and complicate peace efforts in Yemen.
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