Turkey is delivering primarily defensive and technical military support to Saudi Arabia to assist in combating Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi forces, officials confirmed on Wednesday. This development follows a collective defense agreement signed by Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, pledging mutual support in the event of an armed attack on any member.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed in August, establishes that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. Since then, the three countries have been defining the alliance’s operational framework through political and military discussions, prompted by recent Houthi attacks on Saudi territory.
On Monday, the alliance announced plans to swiftly implement their collective defense commitments, including the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities within Saudi Arabia. Turkey, which possesses NATO’s second-largest army and a strong defense industry, has condemned the Houthi assaults and expressed readiness to support Riyadh’s technical military requirements. Additionally, Turkey agreed to join a Saudi-led coalition aimed at securing navigation safety in the Red Sea.
A Turkish official, speaking anonymously, clarified that Turkey’s contribution so far consists of military equipment, intelligence sharing, and weapons systems, with no troop deployments under the alliance yet. The support includes drone operators and assistance in refining Saudi Arabia’s defensive measures.
Officials noted that Turkey’s aid, including air defense systems, is currently provided bilaterally, as Turkey’s parliament has not yet ratified the joint defense pact. The scale and scope of support are expected to grow following ratification.
A US official familiar with the situation stated that Turkey’s assistance remains largely defensive, encompassing strategic planning, logistics support, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, after an extraordinary meeting of the Makkah alliance in Riyadh, highlighted discussions on enhancing Saudi Arabia’s defensive capabilities. He noted the valuable input from Turkey’s Defence Minister and Chief of General Staff on military, operational, and technical issues.
Pakistani and regional officials have also confirmed that Ankara and Islamabad have supplied Saudi Arabia with military equipment currently deployed in Yemen.
This week, Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi-led coalition air support, launched a counter-offensive to reclaim strategic areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital international shipping route for energy exports and trade.
Last week, Saudi Arabia was reported to be planning an offensive against the Houthis, considering options such as a coastal advance to secure the Red Sea shipping lanes or a multi-front assault.
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