Turkey rules out launching attacks on Yemen from Saudi Arabia

Turkey has ruled out launching attacks on Yemen from Saudi Arabia, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The Mecca defense pact, which Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan agreed to this week, is strictly defensive in nature, Fidan stated during a press conference in Ankara. The agreement allows for joint deployment of forces and military equipment in response to Houthi attacks, but Turkey will not send troops to another country's territory to launch an attack.

Possible Turkish deployments to Saudi Arabia would be defensive in nature, Fidan added. Military delegations will assess Saudi Arabia's operational defense needs and determine the contributions Turkey and Pakistan can make. Turkey has already maintained technical teams, air defense systems, and electronic warfare equipment in Saudi Arabia since last year to protect critical infrastructure, including energy facilities.

Further deployments, including additional personnel, pilots, and aircraft, are expected following parliamentary approval, which is expected later this month. Turkey's actions are aimed at providing defensive support to Saudi Arabia in the face of the ongoing Yemen War.