Turkey is moving to provide technical and defensive support to Saudi Arabia to assist in the kingdom's ongoing conflict with Houthi rebels in Yemen. This development was confirmed by two Turkish officials on Wednesday, following the formalization of a new security pact between the two nations and Pakistan.

The cooperation is rooted in the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, which was signed by the three nations in August. Under the terms of this agreement, the signatories have committed to a collective defense policy, where an armed attack against one member is considered an attack against all. While the specific nature of the 'technical and defensive' support has not been fully detailed, officials indicate that the move is a direct step toward operationalizing the commitments made under the August alliance.

This agreement marks a significant shift in regional security dynamics, as Turkey—a NATO member—aligns more closely with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on military matters. The countries are currently working to establish the specific parameters and protocols for how this collective defense will function in practice. While the officials emphasized the defensive nature of the support, the involvement of a NATO member in the Saudi-led campaign against the Houthis represents a notable evolution in Turkey's foreign policy and regional military engagement.