Türkiye: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Saturday that Türkiye was ready to help meet Saudi Arabia’s military needs under the trilateral defence agreement with Pakistan, as Yemen’s Houthi movement continued attacks on Saudi territory.
Fidan said Saudi Arabia was facing serious attacks on its territorial integrity and sovereignty and could require military assistance, particularly in technical areas. He said Ankara had no objection to meeting such requirements under the defence pact signed by Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Fidan Reaffirms Defence Cooperation
The Makkah Defence Agreement, signed last month, stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be considered an attack against all three. Fidan said the agreement provided a basis for solidarity among the three countries as Saudi Arabia faced renewed security threats.
The comments followed Houthi claims of missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia. The group said it had targeted what it described as sensitive sites in Riyadh. Saudi authorities separately reported that their air defences intercepted a ballistic missile launched toward the Saudi capital.
Fidan also said Türkiye had presented proposals to the parties involved in the conflict aimed at ending the fighting. He warned that the economic consequences of the conflict had become increasingly difficult to tolerate.
Pakistan Says No Military Response Discussed
Pakistan has said that no discussions have taken place regarding an immediate military response from Islamabad under the Makkah agreement in connection with the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Pakistani officials have reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the defence pact while maintaining that any response would be considered when required.
Fidan said Saudi Arabia should not be drawn into the wider US-Iran conflict and noted that Riyadh did not want to become a party to the war. Türkiye has also condemned the Houthi attacks and called for them to stop immediately.
The trilateral agreement has established a framework for defence cooperation between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. Fidan has said the arrangement could be expanded and was not intended to replace existing alliances.