Turkey has declared its preparedness to assist Saudi Arabia in addressing its military requirements as Riyadh faces mounting aerial and missile strikes from Yemen’s Houthi movement. The offer represents the first significant practical test of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, a trilateral security pact signed last month by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Turkish broadcaster NTV that Ankara has “no issues” in providing aid, particularly regarding “technical issues,” as Saudi territorial integrity comes under repeated threat. However, Fidan declined to detail the specific nature or scope of the potential military assistance.
The comments follow a surge in Houthi activity targeting Saudi cities and critical energy infrastructure. On Saturday, a Saudi-led coalition spokesperson reported that a ballistic missile fired at Riyadh at dawn was intercepted and destroyed. Additional attempts to strike civilian sites in Bisha, Taif, Farasan, and Yanbu were also thwarted by the kingdom’s air defenses.
The escalation occurs against the backdrop of the broader US-Iran conflict, which began in February, and has heightened global concerns over energy supplies. The Houthis have tightened their control over the Red Sea and the strategically vital Bab al-Mandeb strait, forcing Saudi Arabia to rely on alternative export routes through the East-West pipeline following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Under the Mecca Defence Alliance, established on August 31, an armed attack on any one of the three member states is considered an attack on all. The alliance features a secretariat based in Riyadh, initially led by a Pakistani secretary-general, and is founded on principles of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Pakistan has previously emphasized its commitment to the pact. Lieutenant-General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated that Islamabad stands with Saudi Arabia “diplomatically and physically,” adding, “We will go to any extent.” Despite this rhetoric, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry noted recently that no formal discussions had taken place regarding a military response under the agreement.
Analysts offer diverging views on the likelihood of direct intervention. Nawaf Obaid, a senior research fellow at King’s College London, suggested that a coordinated response involving land, sea, and air forces is being assembled, with Turkey identified as a key participant and Egypt potentially playing a limited operational role. He claimed weapons systems and fighter jets are already being deployed to the region, though Al Jazeera could not independently verify these movements.
Conversely, Mohamad Elmasry of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies argued that Saudi Arabia remains isolated regarding direct kinetic action. He noted that while allies are providing logistics, intelligence, and weapons, major players including the US, Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt appear reluctant to engage in direct combat.
The United States has maintained a cautious stance. President Donald Trump has declined requests for direct US military strikes, reportedly offering only intelligence-sharing and targeting assistance instead. This contrasts with previous US military campaigns against the Houthis. However, the State Department recently approved a $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, pending congressional approval.
William Lawrence, a former US diplomat, predicted eventual American involvement due to the strategic importance of the region’s waterways and existing security commitments. He highlighted that approximately 100 US military advisers are already in Saudi Arabia, providing extensive surveillance support, suggesting that a deeper engagement would not require a significant ramp-up.
On the ground in Yemen, Houthi forces continue to press their advantage. After capturing the port city of Mocha, they are advancing on the oil-rich province of Marib. In southern Marib, forces aligned with the Saudi-backed government reported killing 12 Houthi fighters during a thwarted infiltration attempt on Saturday.
This current wave of violence marks the most serious fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces since a UN-brokered truce ended large-scale hostilities in 2022.
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