Turkey says it is ready to help address Saudi Arabia’s technical military requirements under the newly signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
ANKARA: Türkiye is prepared to help address Saudi Arabia’s military requirements under the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said as continuing Houthi attacks raise security concerns across the region.
Speaking in an interview with broadcaster NTV, Fidan said Saudi Arabia could have military requirements because of ongoing attacks launched by Yemen’s Houthis. He said Türkiye was ready to provide assistance, particularly for technical military needs, under the trilateral defence framework.
“We see there are very serious attacks on Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Fidan said, adding that the three countries had an alliance agreement and that Türkiye was prepared to meet some of Saudi Arabia’s technical requirements.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed last month by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, stipulates that an armed attack against one member will be regarded as an attack against all three. The agreement has gained renewed attention amid continuing attacks by Houthi forces targeting Saudi territory.
Fidan also said Ankara had presented proposals to all sides aimed at ending the fighting in Yemen. He warned that the wider Middle East crisis was creating economic consequences that were becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.
The Turkish foreign minister further said Türkiye had presented proposals to Ukraine and Russia aimed at ending fighting in the Black Sea, linking Ankara’s efforts to its broader diplomatic push for de-escalation.
The latest developments followed Saudi authorities’ announcement that a Houthi ballistic missile launched toward Riyadh had been intercepted and destroyed by Saudi air-defence forces. Saudi officials also reported attempts to target civilian areas and infrastructure in several other locations.
Several Arab countries condemned the attacks. Jordan denounced the missile attack targeting Riyadh as well as attempts to target civilians and civilian infrastructure in Taif, Yanbu, Bish and Farasan.
Amman expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for measures taken to protect its security and territorial integrity.
The developments have brought renewed attention to the practical implications of the Makkah defence agreement, particularly as Saudi Arabia faces continuing missile and drone threats while diplomatic efforts to contain the wider regional crisis continue.
For Türkiye and Pakistan, the situation could place greater focus on how the newly established defence framework is implemented as security developments around Saudi Arabia evolve.
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