PNN – A British media outlet has reported on Turkey’s plan to deploy troops and air defense systems to support Saudi Arabia in its confrontation with Yemeni forces.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network several Turkish officials told the “Middle East Eye” website on Tuesday that Turkey intends to step up its military support for Riyadh in the coming weeks—amid escalating Yemeni attacks on Saudi Arabia—by deploying additional troops and defensive equipment.
On Monday, Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia announced in a joint statement that they had decided to immediately implement their collective defense commitments under the “Mecca Defense Coalition” and to provide the “agreed-upon forces and military capabilities to ensure their rapid deployment” to Saudi territory.
Citing two Turkish officials familiar with Ankara’s plans, the website reported that Turkey has deployed technical teams, air defense systems, and electronic warfare equipment since last year to protect critical infrastructure—including energy facilities—in Saudi Arabia.
A senior Turkish official stated that Ankara would deploy additional equipment, technicians, emergency response teams, and combat support forces to the region.
The official added that a military training agreement concluded between Saudi Arabia and Turkey in 2010 allows Ankara to deploy a limited number of troops to Saudi Arabia for technical purposes; however, the deployment of additional forces would require parliamentary approval under the Turkish constitution.
The official added: We also need to ratify the Mecca Pact, but we may prioritize the bill authorizing the deployment of military forces.
Another Turkish official stated that Ankara plans to station its military forces at at least one command base—a move aimed solely at providing defensive support to Saudi Arabia.
The official said: Technical teams were working on the command base project in Saudi Arabia throughout September, and preparations were nearing completion concurrently with the inaugural meeting of the Mecca Political and Defense Strategic Committee.
According to these officials, a limited number of Turkish Special Forces could be deployed to the Kingdom following the Turkish parliament’s approval of the official authorization, which is expected to take place later this month.
Sources familiar with the planning details told Middle East Eye that, following parliamentary approval, the Turkish military would deploy an unspecified number of experienced pilots and aircraft to Saudi Arabia to counter drones and ballistic missiles fired by Yemen’s Houthis.
We have no plans to deploy a large contingent of troops, nor is there any intention to intervene directly in Yemen, the senior Turkish official said.
The official added: Ankara continues to believe that diplomatic efforts could yield results in the coming months.