5 hrs ago
Turkey Rules Out Yemen Troop Deployment Under Saudi Defence Pact
Turkey says it will not send soldiers to Yemen to fight the Houthis.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey’s agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is meant to help members defend themselves.
He said it does not allow Turkey to attack another country.
Turkey could still help Saudi Arabia with equipment, information or other defensive support.
The agreement was signed in August.
Saudi-backed forces are fighting the Houthis in Yemen.
The Houthis have increased missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia.
The article also reports that Syria may send troops to help Saudi Arabia, but that possibility was attributed to officials and was not confirmed as a deployment.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey will not send troops to Yemen to attack Houthi forces.
Fidan said the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is for collective defence, not offensive operations.
Turkey may provide Saudi Arabia with defensive or technical assistance, including equipment, intelligence sharing and weapons systems.
The pact, signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in August, treats an armed attack on one member as an attack on all three.
Saudi-backed Yemeni forces are campaigning against the Houthis, who have intensified missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory.
- Who
- Turkey, represented by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan; the agreement also involves Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
- What
- Turkey ruled out sending troops to Yemen for offensive action against the Houthis, while leaving open defensive and technical assistance to Saudi Arabia.
- Where
- The proposed troop deployment would be in Yemen; the agreement concerns Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
- When
- Fidan made the comments on Thursday; the article does not specify the date.
- Why
- Fidan said the agreement is for collective defence and does not authorize Turkey to launch attacks in another country.
Key facts
- Turkish position
- Turkey will not send troops to Yemen to launch an attack.
- Agreement
- The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement links Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in mutual defence.
- Signing
- The pact was signed in August.
- Potential Turkish support
- Defensive and technical assistance could include military equipment, intelligence sharing and weapons systems.
- Conflict
- Saudi-backed Yemeni forces are campaigning against the Iran-aligned Houthis.
- Houthi attacks
- The Houthis have intensified missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory.
- Possible Syrian involvement
- A US official and a Syrian defence official said Syria may deploy troops to help Saudi Arabia; the article does not report a confirmed deployment.
Quotes
Hakan Fidan
Turkish foreign minister
“This is a defence agreement. This is not an offensive agreement. That is, Turkey will not send its troops to another country's territory to launch an attack.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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