Turkey, Pakistan to review Saudi Arabia’s military needs, says Hakan Fidan

ANKARA: Türkiye has indicated that it is prepared to help address Saudi Arabia’s military requirements under the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, as Houthi attacks against the kingdom continue to raise security concerns across the region.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Saudi Arabia could have military requirements because of the ongoing attacks launched by Yemen’s Houthis. He said Türkiye was ready to help, particularly with 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 in an interview with broadcaster NTV. He added 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, provides for an armed attack against one member to be regarded as an attack against all three. The agreement has gained renewed attention as Houthi forces have intensified attacks on Saudi territory.

Fidan also said Ankara had conveyed proposals to all sides aimed at ending the fighting in Yemen. He warned that the wider Middle East crisis was producing economic consequences that were becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.

He further said Türkiye had presented proposals to Ukraine and Russia aimed at ending fighting in the Black Sea, linking Ankara’s diplomatic efforts to its broader push for de-escalation.

The latest developments came after Saudi authorities said a Houthi ballistic missile launched toward Riyadh was intercepted and destroyed by Saudi air-defence forces. Saudi officials also reported attempts to target civilian areas and infrastructure in several other locations.

The attacks have drawn condemnation from several Arab countries. Jordan condemned the missile attack on Riyadh and attempts to target civilians and civilian infrastructure in Taif, Yanbu, Bish and Farasan. Amman said it stood in solidarity with Saudi Arabia and supported measures taken to protect its security and territorial integrity.

The developments are putting fresh attention on 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 also presents a test of how the newly established defence framework will operate as the security situation around Saudi Arabia develops.