Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated on Saturday that Turkey may address Saudi Arabia's military needs to counter ongoing attacks by Yemen's Houthi group. Fidan mentioned that these needs will be evaluated within the framework of a tripartite defense agreement signed with Pakistan. He emphasized that it is unacceptable for Saudi Arabia to be drawn into a conflict between the US and Iran, as it has no interest in engaging in such a war.
The Houthi group in Yemen announced on Saturday that they had launched attacks on sensitive targets in Riyadh and the Saudi Aramco oil company in Yanbu on the Red Sea coast. The attacks involved a large number of ballistic and winged missiles, as well as drones. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sareq claimed that the operations targeted enemy strongholds, accusing Saudi Arabia of targeting the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.
Explosions were heard in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Saturday, followed by a fire at a fuel tank near King Khalid International Airport. The incident caused significant disruptions to flight operations, with several flights delayed or canceled. Airport authorities and eyewitnesses reported that emergency services were working to extinguish the fire, and black smoke was seen rising towards the airport.
The Saudi authorities issued an air raid warning in the capital, advising residents to stay indoors. This was the first such warning since the conflict in Yemen escalated. The alert was lifted about 30 minutes later. The incident occurred after the Saudi-led coalition accused the Houthis of attempting to target Mecca with a drone, which the Houthis strongly denied.
The conflict in Yemen has seen an increase in tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi group. The Saudi-led coalition has been supporting the Yemeni government, while the Houthis have been launching attacks on Saudi territory. The situation has led to concerns about the humanitarian situation in Yemen and the potential for further escalation.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized that proposals to end the fighting have been conveyed to all parties involved. He did not provide details on the proposals but mentioned that they aim to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The international community has been urging restraint and a negotiated settlement to the conflict.
The attacks on Riyadh and Aramco's facilities in Yanbu have raised concerns about the security situation in Saudi Arabia and the wider region. The incidents have also highlighted the ongoing challenges in Yemen and the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Key points
- Turkey to consider Saudi Arabia's military needs under a tripartite defense agreement with Pakistan.
