Turkiye has expressed its readiness to assist Saudi Arabia in meeting its military needs as the kingdom faces increasing attacks from Yemen's Houthi rebels. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the region, testing the newly signed Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan indicated that Saudi Arabia might require military support, particularly in technical areas, and confirmed Ankara's willingness to provide such assistance. The Houthi attacks have intensified, targeting Saudi cities, energy infrastructure, and shipping routes, complicating the regional conflict.
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed last month, treats an armed attack on any of the three member states as an attack on all, similar to NATO's collective defense principle. This pact is now under scrutiny as the Houthis tighten their grip on the Red Sea, a critical alternative route for Saudi oil exports due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Fidan, speaking to Turkish media, emphasized the seriousness of the attacks on Saudi Arabia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. He reiterated that Turkiye is prepared to meet Saudi military needs, though he did not specify the exact nature of the assistance.
Nawaf Obaid, a senior research fellow at King's College London, suggested that Saudi Arabia and its allies are forming a coordinated military response to the Houthi threat. He mentioned that weapons systems are being moved into Saudi Arabia and fighter jets deployed into the Red Sea, with Turkiye playing a significant role and Egypt potentially participating in a limited capacity. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Elmasry, a professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, noted that Saudi Arabia is seeking support from allies but faces reluctance from countries like Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt, and the United States to engage directly in military action.
The Mecca Defence Alliance was formalized on August 31, with a secretariat established in Riyadh, initially headed by a Pakistani secretary-general. The alliance aims to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states while remaining open to other countries joining.
The pact was formed amid concerns over the expanding military reach of Israel in the Middle East, as well as the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
Lieutenant-General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry of Pakistan's military emphasized Islamabad's commitment to Saudi Arabia, both diplomatically and physically. However, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has stated that there have been no discussions about launching a military response under the Mecca agreement following the Houthi attacks.
Saudi-led coalition forces reported intercepting a Houthi ballistic missile targeting Riyadh, along with thwarting attempts to attack civilians and infrastructure in other Saudi cities. On the ground in Yemen, Saudi-backed forces claimed to have repelled a Houthi infiltration attempt in southern Marib, resulting in casualties among the Houthi fighters.
The current escalation marks the most significant fighting involving the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces since a UN-brokered truce in 2022. The Houthis have made territorial gains along Yemen's Red Sea coast, including near the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a vital route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
While the US has refrained from direct military action against the Houthis, it continues to support Saudi Arabia through intelligence-sharing and targeting assistance.
