Turkey, Pakistan move to bolster Saudi defenses amid Houthi attacks
publishers 38articles 43first reported 5 Oct, 20:30 UTCdeveloping since 6 Oct · 9 editions
Turkey and Pakistan are moving to provide military capabilities and support to Saudi Arabia under a new collective defense pact as the kingdom faces attacks by Yemen’s Houthis, officials said this week. The assistance is currently focused on defensive and technical roles rather than direct combat.
The three countries said Monday that they would begin implementing commitments under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed in August, and take measures for the rapid deployment of agreed forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia. The pact treats an armed attack on one member as an attack on all three.
Two officials told Reuters that Turkey’s contribution would mainly include military equipment, intelligence sharing and weapons systems. A U.S. official said Turkish assistance included strategic planning, logistics, drone operators, surveillance and help refining defensive measures. Middle East Eye reported that Turkish technical teams, air-defense systems and electronic-warfare equipment were already protecting critical Saudi infrastructure.
Turkey’s parliament has not yet ratified the pact, so its support is being provided largely through existing bilateral arrangements. Analysts cited by The National said Ankara was more likely to supply advisers, intelligence and air and missile defenses than send large numbers of troops into combat.
Pakistan’s military spokesman, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said Pakistani forces have operated in Saudi Arabia for decades in several capacities. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistani and Turkish personnel were playing supporting roles, including reconnaissance, while Saudi forces were conducting combat operations.
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the assistance Wednesday, telling reporters that it was “great” the two countries wanted to help Saudi Arabia.
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Written from 8 articles, 5 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 48 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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- This version written
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