Turkey to deploy troops and air defence systems to Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks

Turkey plans to step up its military support for Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks by deploying additional personnel and defence equipment amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom, several Turkish officials told Middle East Eye on Tuesday.

In a joint statement on Monday, Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia said they had decided to immediately implement their collective defence commitments under the Makkah Alliance for Defence and provide "the agreed military forces and capabilities to ensure their rapid deployment" to the kingdom.

Two Turkish officials familiar with Ankara's plans told MEE that Turkey had maintained technical teams, air defence systems and electronic warfare equipment in the kingdom since last year to protect critical infrastructure, including energy facilities.