Turkey assesses defensive support for Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks
Middle East Eye
M
Middle East Eye
Original Source
Turkey is assessing defensive support options for Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks under a joint defence pact with Pakistan, Turkey's foreign minister said Thursday. He ruled out Turkish participation in offensive operations, emphasizing that the agreement is defensive in nature.
Turkey is assessing how it can help Saudi Arabia defend against attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement under a joint defence pact with Pakistan, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday, ruling out Turkish participation in offensive operations.
Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August, under which an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all. The three countries have since held political and military meetings following Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, with the countries agreeing on Monday to immediately implement their collective defence commitments and ensure the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking at a joint press conference with his Hungarian counterpart Anita Orban in Ankara, Fidan said Turkish and Pakistani military officials were assessing possible contributions, particularly in air defence, electronic warfare and technical support.
“Yemen’s legitimate government forces are already continuing the battle on the ground and Saudi Arabia is supporting them,” Fidan said.
He stressed that the agreement was defensive rather than offensive and ruled out sending Turkish troops to conduct attacks from Saudi territory.
“When a country party to the pact comes under attack, you stand by it in its defence. This is not an offensive agreement. Turkey will not send troops to another country to carry out attacks on its territory,” Fidan said.
Fidan said military delegations would assess Saudi Arabia’s operational defence requirements and determine what contributions Turkey and Pakistan could provide under the agreement.
The comments come as Saudi Arabia faces continued attacks claimed by the Houthis, including missile launches towards Riyadh. The Saudi-led coalition has said it intercepted ballistic missiles targeting the capital, while the Houthis have warned personnel to leave Saudi oil facilities and claimed responsibility for an attack on King Khalid International Airport.
Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August, under which an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all. The three countries have since held political and military meetings following Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, with the countries agreeing on Monday to immediately implement their collective defence commitments and ensure the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking at a joint press conference with his Hungarian counterpart Anita Orban in Ankara, Fidan said Turkish and Pakistani military officials were assessing possible contributions, particularly in air defence, electronic warfare and technical support.
“Yemen’s legitimate government forces are already continuing the battle on the ground and Saudi Arabia is supporting them,” Fidan said.
He stressed that the agreement was defensive rather than offensive and ruled out sending Turkish troops to conduct attacks from Saudi territory.
“When a country party to the pact comes under attack, you stand by it in its defence. This is not an offensive agreement. Turkey will not send troops to another country to carry out attacks on its territory,” Fidan said.
Fidan said military delegations would assess Saudi Arabia’s operational defence requirements and determine what contributions Turkey and Pakistan could provide under the agreement.
The comments come as Saudi Arabia faces continued attacks claimed by the Houthis, including missile launches towards Riyadh. The Saudi-led coalition has said it intercepted ballistic missiles targeting the capital, while the Houthis have warned personnel to leave Saudi oil facilities and claimed responsibility for an attack on King Khalid International Airport.
🔗 Share Article
Tags:#تركيا#السعودية#الحوثيون#الاتفاقات الدفاعية#اليمن#الشرق الأوسط
Source: Middle East Eye
For Context
Related reads from the same topic or latest developments
