Turkey Dispatches Defensive and Technical Support to Saudi Arabia Against Houthi Forces

Turkey is providing mainly defensive and technical support to Saudi Arabia in its confrontation with Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi forces, according to two officials cited by MarineLink. This action follows a commitment made under a newly established alliance involving Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.

The three nations signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August, which stipulates that an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all. They have since been engaged in discussions to define the parameters of this alliance, including political and military meetings held in response to Houthi attacks.

Collective Defence Commitment

On Monday, the alliance members announced an agreement to immediately implement their collective defence commitments. This includes ensuring the "rapid deployment" of military forces and capabilities within Saudi Arabia. Turkey, possessing NATO's second-largest army and a robust defence industry, has previously condemned Houthi assaults on Saudi Arabia and expressed willingness to assist with Riyadh's technical military requirements. Turkey has also agreed to join a Saudi-led coalition focused on ensuring navigational safety in the Red Sea.

A Turkish official, who chose to remain anonymous, stated that the support from Turkey primarily consists of military equipment, intelligence sharing, and weapons systems. The official clarified that no other form of deployment has occurred under the alliance thus far.

Bilateral Support and Ratification Process

Officials indicated that Turkey's support for Saudi Arabia, encompassing air defence systems, would largely proceed on a bilateral basis for the immediate future. This is because the Turkish parliament has not yet officially ratified the joint pact. They anticipate that the scope and nature of the support will expand subsequent to ratification.

A US official briefed on the situation confirmed that Turkey's current contributions are broadly defensive. These include strategic planning assistance, logistical support, and the provision of drone operators. The official also noted help with refining defensive measures, as well as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking to state media after an extraordinary meeting of the Mecca alliance in Riyadh, confirmed that discussions had focused on the support required for Saudi Arabia's defensive capabilities. He mentioned the presence of Turkey's Defence Minister and Chief of General Staff, who provided views on military, operational, and technical aspects.

Omer Celik, spokesman for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's ruling AK Party, stated later on Wednesday that the Mecca pact is expected to be submitted to parliament for ratification "in a few days." He added that further procedural steps would become clear after this process.

Separate reports from Pakistani and regional officials suggest that Ankara and Islamabad have already supplied Saudi Arabia with military equipment for use in Yemen. This week, Yemeni government forces, supported by the Saudi-led coalition's air power, initiated a counter-offensive to reclaim strategic territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital international shipping route.