Turkiye has expressed its readiness to provide military assistance to Saudi Arabia as Houthi rebels intensify their attacks in Yemen, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Fidan stated that Saudi Arabia might have unmet military needs stemming from the Houthi assaults and that Turkiye would consider its support within the framework of a trilateral defense pact.

Speaking to Turkish broadcaster NTV, Fidan emphasized that it is unacceptable for Saudi Arabia to be drawn into the US-Iran conflict, noting that Riyadh has no desire to participate in such a war. The foreign minister indicated that proposals aimed at de-escalating the fighting have been presented to all parties involved, though he did not provide further details.

The escalating conflict sees Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia trading attacks, with the Houthis consolidating control over significant areas along the Red Sea coast, including the vital Bab al-Mandeb Strait. This situation has raised regional security concerns and prompted diplomatic engagements.

Pakistan has also pledged support for Saudi Arabia under the same defense agreement. Lieutenant-General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, a Pakistani military spokesperson, stated that Islamabad would defend Saudi Arabia "to any extent," including physically, though he did not confirm if Riyadh had requested additional troops. The Pakistani Foreign Office clarified that no military response is currently under discussion.

The trilateral agreement, officially named the Mecca Defence Alliance, was established on August 7 in Mecca. Signatories included Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The alliance formally adopted its name and agreed to establish a secretariat in Riyadh, headed by a Pakistani secretary-general, following a meeting in Istanbul on August 31.

The founding principle of the Mecca Defence Alliance is that an armed attack against any one of the three member states will be considered an attack against all. Foreign Minister Fidan previously stated that the alliance is built on mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs, and remains open to new members.

Analysts have raised questions about the practical implementation and substance of the pact, pointing out its lack of an integrated command structure and standing forces akin to NATO. The precise mechanisms for triggering the mutual defense clause remain unclear, adding to uncertainties about its effectiveness.

The formation of the alliance comes at a time of growing apprehension among Gulf states regarding the potential for them to be inadvertently involved in the broader US-Iran tensions, a situation exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Yemen and regional proxy engagements.