Turkey Set to Deploy Forces to Saudi Arabia Amid Houthi Threat

Turkey is preparing to expand its military assistance to Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks, amid an increase in Houthi missile and drone attacks. Middle East Eye reported today (Wednesday) that Ankara is expected to send additional equipment, technical teams and combat forces to the kingdom, followed later by pilots and aircraft.

The move comes after Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan announced that they would immediately activate their mutual-defense commitments under the "Mecca Defense Alliance." According to Turkish officials, a limited number of special forces personnel could also be sent after parliamentary approval, which is expected later this month.

Turkey's presence in the kingdom began last year, when technical teams, air-defense systems and electronic-warfare equipment were deployed to protect critical infrastructure. During September, Turkish teams also worked to prepare a command base, where the forces are expected to provide defensive assistance only.

A Turkish official explained that the military training agreement signed by the two countries in 2010 allows for the deployment of a limited force for technical purposes, but that expanding it requires parliamentary approval.

After receiving approval, Ankara also plans to send experienced pilots and aircraft to address the Houthi attacks. However, the official emphasized: "We are not planning to send a large force of soldiers, and we have no plans to intervene directly in Yemen."

The forces are expected to help defend Riyadh, the holy cities and the western section of Saudi Arabia's east-west oil pipeline. They will operate alongside Saudi and Pakistani forces at a joint coordination base, while the Turkish command unit will maintain a separate base. Turkey's parliament is expected to ratify the alliance within no more than 30 days. At the same time, Saudi Arabia already hosts defense forces from other countries, including Greece and France.