Omanghana
Türkiye and Pakistan have pledged military support for Saudi Arabia under their joint defense agreement as the kingdom faces escalating attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi forces.
The commitment followed emergency talks in Riyadh on October 5, 2026, where the three countries agreed to implement collective defense measures and accelerate the deployment of military capabilities to Saudi Arabia.
Signed in August, the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement treats an armed attack against any member as an attack against all three. Its activation marks a significant development in the alliance’s response to regional security threats.
Türkiye’s initial contribution is primarily technical and defensive, officials told Reuters. The assistance includes military equipment, air defense systems, intelligence sharing, logistics and strategic planning. A US official briefed on the arrangements said drone operators and surveillance capabilities were also part of the support.
However, Turkish officials said assistance was being coordinated largely through bilateral arrangements because parliament had not yet ratified the pact. A Turkish official said no other form of deployment had taken place under the alliance at that stage.
On October 7, ruling AK Party spokesman Omer Celik said the agreement was expected to reach parliament within days, with subsequent steps becoming clearer after the ratification process.
Pakistan has withheld detailed operational information about its contribution. The country already had military assets in Saudi Arabia, including aircraft deployed earlier this year.
The support comes amid a Saudi-backed counteroffensive by Yemeni government forces seeking to recover strategic territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a major route for international shipping and energy exports.
Source: Omanghana
