Saudi Arabia says it intercepted Houthi missile as blasts heard in Riyadh

Turkey has submitted a defense pact with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to parliament for approval, according to three sources familiar with the matter. This move brings NATO's second-largest military closer to a formal mutual defense agreement with Riyadh, as Turkey grapples with Houthi attacks emanating from Yemen. The three nations signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement in August, which stipulates that an armed assault on one member is considered an attack on all.

However, the pact does not outline each country's individual commitments. At a recent NATO emergency meeting in Riyadh, the three countries agreed to facilitate the swift deployment of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia. Turkey, known for its robust defense sector, has expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia, pledging to aid in meeting Riyadh's military technology requirements and join a Saudi-led coalition to ensure safe navigation in the Red Sea.

For the pact to be officially ratified, Turkey's parliament must approve it. Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, who is currently in Kyrgyzstan, will forward the agreement to the parliament's foreign affairs commission upon his return. The contents of the agreement are anticipated to become public once submitted to the commission, which could deliberate on it as early as Friday.

Turkish officials have emphasized that their contribution to the pact will primarily consist of military equipment, intelligence exchange, and weapons systems, and that Turkey has not yet engaged in any other form of deployment within the alliance. Asked about Turkey's potential role in defending Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan clarified that the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement is not an offensive agreement, and Turkey would not dispatch troops to another nation to carry out attacks on its territory.