Saudi Arabia has not requested military assistance from Turkey and Pakistan

Officials from Turkey and Pakistan announced on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at a press conference in Ankara and Islamabad that Saudi Arabia has not requested military assistance from them so far in light of the increasing Houthi attacks. This news comes as tensions in the region have sharply escalated and Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities have significantly increased.

No request for assistance from Saudi Arabia

According to a Turkish official, despite the intensification of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia's critical oil infrastructure, Riyadh has not requested intervention from its allies under the new defense pact. The official also noted that efforts to "institutionalize" this coalition must be completed before the defense pact can be operationalized.

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Pakistan's response to the current situation

Shahbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, emphasized in his statements that his country supports Saudi Arabia and that the two countries stand "steadfast and shoulder to shoulder" in these circumstances. These remarks come as Pakistan is recognized as one of Saudi Arabia's close allies in the region and has always assisted the kingdom during various crises.

The Turkish Foreign Minister also expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia, stating that no country can remain "indifferent" to such an event. These statements reflect the concerns of regional countries over the increasing tensions and the potential escalation of conflicts in Yemen.

Houthi claims and reactions

Meanwhile, the Houthis have denied claims of targeting Mecca, with Mahdi al-Mashat, one of the group's leaders, describing the Saudi officials' statements about the incident as a "desperate attempt to mobilize the people." Previously, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen had announced that its air defense successfully intercepted and shot down a drone launched by the Houthis that intended to enter the airspace of Mecca.

These developments occur as Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have been engaged in a fierce war in recent months, with reciprocal attacks between the two sides significantly increasing. Given the current situation, there seems to be a pressing need for an immediate diplomatic solution to reduce tensions and prevent a widespread war in the region.

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