Turkey is assessing how it can help Saudi Arabia defend against attacks by Yemen’s Iran aligned Houthi militants under a joint defence agreement with Pakistan, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday.
Fidan stressed that Turkey’s involvement would be limited to defensive operations and would not include sending troops to carry out attacks in Yemen.
Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August. Under the pact, an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all three countries.
The three countries have since held political and military discussions following Houthi attacks. On Monday, they agreed to move quickly to implement their collective defence commitments and prepare for the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia.
Fidan said Turkish military officials were assessing possible contributions, particularly in air defence, electronic warfare and technical support. He said Saudi Arabia’s operational needs would determine what Turkey and Pakistan could provide.
“Turkey will not send troops to another country to carry out attacks on its territory,” Fidan said, stressing that the agreement was defensive rather than offensive.
Turkish officials said the country is currently providing mainly defensive and technical assistance to Saudi Arabia. The support is largely being provided bilaterally because Turkey’s parliament has not yet formally ratified the joint defence agreement.
Fidan said preparations for parliamentary approval were nearly complete and that the agreement would be submitted as soon as possible.
Turkey has condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and has also expressed readiness to help meet Riyadh’s military and technical needs. Ankara has agreed to join a Saudi led coalition aimed at protecting navigation in the Red Sea.
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