ANKARA: Turkey will not send troops into another country to carry out attacks against Yemen’s Houthi movement, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said. He stressed that the defence agreement between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan aims to protect member states, not launch offensive operations.
Fidan made the remarks on Thursday during a joint press conference in Ankara with his Hungarian counterpart. He said the three countries had agreed to support one another if any member came under attack.
Turkey Rules Out Offensive Military Action
Fidan said the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement was defensive in nature. Under the pact, an armed attack on one member is treated as an attack on all three countries.
However, he made clear that the agreement did not authorise Turkey to send troops into another country to conduct attacks. He added that the Yemeni government’s forces were already fighting the Houthis on the ground, while Saudi Arabia was supporting them.
Ankara Reviews Saudi Arabia’s Defence Needs
Meanwhile, Turkish and Saudi military officials are assessing Riyadh’s defence requirements. Fidan said discussions focused on possible cooperation in air defence, electronic warfare and technical support.
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According to Reuters, Turkey is already providing Saudi Arabia with mainly defensive and technical assistance. This support reportedly includes military equipment, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, drone operators and defence planning.
Fidan said the two sides would determine what further contributions Turkey could make to help Saudi Arabia address its security needs.
Mecca Defence Pact Awaits Turkish Parliamentary Approval
Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August 2026. The pact states that an armed attack on one member will be treated as an attack on all members.
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The three countries have since held political and military meetings to discuss collective defence arrangements following Houthi attacks on Saudi targets.
However, Turkey’s parliament has not yet ratified the agreement. Fidan said preparations for submitting the pact for parliamentary approval were largely complete and that the government intended to send it soon.
Houthi Attacks Raise Regional Security Concerns
Fidan’s comments come amid an escalation in Houthi attacks on Saudi cities and infrastructure. Recent strikes targeting Riyadh and other locations have raised concerns about civilian safety, airport operations and regional stability.
Saudi Arabia has been seeking greater support from its partners as it responds to the attacks. Turkey’s position signals a willingness to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s defensive capabilities while ruling out Turkish troops conducting offensive operations inside another country.
