Turkey says it could help meet Saudi military needs under defense pact

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated on Saturday that Saudi Arabia might require military assistance due to ongoing attacks by Yemen's Houthis. Turkey is prepared to aid under a trilateral defense pact that also incorporates Pakistan. Fidan emphasized the seriousness of the attacks on Saudi Arabia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, expressing solidarity within their pact.

He assured there would be no issue in meeting military needs, particularly in technical aspects, as per the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. This agreement stipulates that an armed attack on any one of the three countries would be deemed an attack on all three. The Houthis, controlling most of Yemen, have been targeting Saudi Arabia since their naval blockade in July, escalating the conflict from the initial US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.

These attacks have affected Saudi cities, energy infrastructure, and shipping, threatening global oil supplies and the alternative Red Sea route for Gulf exports, while the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted. US President Donald Trump had previously rejected Saudi requests for military support against the Houthis. Fidan expressed concern over Saudi Arabia not wanting to become entangled in the US-Iran war and suggested that proposals for peace have been made to all parties, urging their acceptance.

Turkey, with its second-largest army in NATO, maintains that the pact with nuclear-armed Pakistan and top oil exporter Saudi Arabia can be expanded, not intending to supplant existing alliances. Pakistan has stated it is not considering a military response to Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia under the Mecca agreement but will act when the time comes.

The Houthis recently launched missile and drone strikes against sensitive sites in Riyadh, following the detection of flames and a significant plume of smoke near the city's main airport. Turkey has condemned the Houthis' actions and called for an immediate end to the attacks.