Turkey Offers Military Support to Saudi Arabia as Houthi Attacks Escalate

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Saturday that Saudi Arabia could have military requirements as it faces continued attacks from Yemen’s Houthis, adding that Turkey is prepared to provide assistance under a three-country defense agreement that also includes Pakistan.

“We see there are very serious attacks on Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. We have an alliance agreement in our pact. We are in serious solidarity on this point… They may have some military needs, especially on some technical issues. We would have no issues in meeting these,” Fidan told broadcaster NTV.

The three-way defense pact, known as the “Mecca Joint Defence Agreement,” was signed last month. Under the agreement, an armed assault against any of the three member states is to be treated as an attack against all three.

The Houthis, who control Yemen’s most heavily populated areas, have carried out attacks against Saudi Arabia since announcing a naval blockade targeting Riyadh in July. The attacks represent another front in the broader conflict that began after US and Israeli strikes against Iran in late February. Houthi attacks have struck Saudi cities, energy facilities and maritime shipping, raising concerns about global oil supplies and the Red Sea trade route used for Gulf exports while shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted.

US Declines Saudi Request for Help Against Houthis

US President Donald Trump has rejected Saudi requests for American military assistance in its fight against the Houthis. The group reached a ceasefire with Washington last year following a two-month US bombing campaign against its positions.

Fidan said Turkey does not accept the idea of Saudi Arabia being drawn into the US-Iran conflict, emphasizing that Riyadh had not sought to become involved in the war. He also said proposals aimed at ending the fighting had been presented to the various sides, without providing further details.

“There are many initiatives, but the sides need to accept these,” he said. “There are new proposals, I hope they accept them. Otherwise, the crisis was tolerated until a certain point, but the economic reflections have started to exceed the point of being tolerable.”

Turkey, which has NATO’s second-largest military, has previously said the defense agreement involving nuclear-armed Pakistan and major oil producer Saudi Arabia could eventually include additional members. Ankara has also maintained that the pact is not intended to replace existing military alliances.

Pakistan Says No Military Response Discussed So Far

Pakistan said there have been no discussions about taking military action against the Houthis under the Mecca agreement in response to the attacks on Saudi Arabia. Islamabad nevertheless indicated that it would respond if and when the “time comes.”

Earlier Saturday, Yemen’s Houthis claimed they had targeted “sensitive” locations in Riyadh using missiles and drones. The claim came after flames and a large column of smoke were observed near the Saudi capital’s main airport.

Turkey has condemned the Houthi attacks and urged the group to halt immediately.