Euro Times – Ankara
Turkey has said it is ready to help meet Saudi Arabia’s military needs as Houthi attacks on the kingdom intensify, putting the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to its first major wartime test.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told NTV that Ankara viewed the attacks on Saudi territorial integrity and sovereignty as serious, stressing Turkey’s alliance commitment and strong solidarity with Riyadh under the pact.
Fidan said Saudi Arabia could have military needs, particularly in certain technical areas, and that Turkey would have no problem helping to meet them.
The trilateral defence agreement signed in August treats an armed attack on one of the three countries as an attack on all of them and seeks to deepen defence cooperation and collective deterrence.
The comments come as the Houthis intensify attacks on Saudi Arabia. The group said on Saturday it had targeted what it described as “sensitive” sites in Riyadh with missiles and drones, hours after flames and a large plume of smoke were seen near the capital’s main airport.
Fidan said Turkey considered attempts to drag Saudi Arabia into the U.S.–Iran war unacceptable, adding that Riyadh did not want to become involved in the conflict. He also referred to new proposals conveyed to the parties aimed at ending the fighting, without disclosing details.
Pakistan, meanwhile, said there were currently no discussions about an immediate military response under the Mecca pact to the Houthi attacks.
Ankara’s statement does not mean Turkey has entered the war or begun military operations alongside Saudi Arabia. It does, however, amount to a clear declaration of readiness to provide military and technical assistance should Riyadh request it under the trilateral agreement.
The development comes as Saudi Arabia faces growing pressure on its air-defence systems amid continuing missile and drone attacks, while the wider regional war disrupts energy and shipping flows through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
Source: Reuters.
