Fresh reports indicate that Turkey had deployed technical teams, air defence systems and electronic warfare equipment to Saudi Arabia before the 5 October decision to implement the defence commitments of the “Mecca Pact”. Ankara is now seeking to expand its presence by sending additional equipment, personnel, pilots and aircraft, with the aim of strengthening the protection of critical Saudi infrastructure against Houthi missile and drone attacks. The Turkish Defence Ministry has yet to officially disclose details of the deployment.

Middle East Eye, citing two Turkish officials familiar with Ankara’s plans, reported that Turkey has had technical teams, air defence systems and electronic warfare equipment in Saudi Arabia since last year. The assets have been used to protect critical infrastructure, including energy facilities. A senior Turkish official said Ankara now plans to send additional equipment, technicians, emergency response teams and support personnel to the kingdom.

The sources also said Turkey is preparing at least one military command centre in Saudi Arabia, with Turkish technical teams working on the project in September. According to the report, a limited number of special forces personnel could also be deployed once the necessary approvals are obtained from the Turkish parliament.

Other sources familiar with the military planning told Middle East Eye that Turkey intends to send pilots and military aircraft to Saudi Arabia after securing parliamentary approval. They would help counter drones and ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis. The types and number of aircraft have not been disclosed. However, a senior Turkish official stressed that Ankara has no plans for a large-scale ground deployment or direct intervention inside Yemen.

Turkish defence publication SavunmaSanayiST also reported exclusively that several hundred Turkish military specialists, along with various domestically produced air defence and electronic warfare systems, have been stationed at several locations across Saudi Arabia “for some time”. Their mission is to protect sensitive facilities. The publication did not identify the specific systems deployed, and the Turkish government has not officially confirmed the details.

In a separate report, information published by the Sabah newspaper indicated that Turkey is helping protect four critical Saudi gas and electricity facilities using low- and medium-altitude air defence systems. Saudi Arabia is also reportedly considering allocating a base for Turkish forces, although Ankara’s response to the proposal remains unclear. Turkish and Saudi officials have not officially confirmed these details.

Middle East Eye also reported that Turkish forces could help protect the western section of Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline, Riyadh, and the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The pipeline, which links Saudi oilfields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, has gained greater importance following disruption along the Strait of Hormuz route. In recent months, Saudi Arabia has transported millions of barrels of oil per day through the pipeline.

The latest details are consistent with the formal decision reached at the emergency “Mecca Pact” summit in Riyadh. In a joint statement on 5 October, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan announced that the implementation of their collective defence commitments would begin immediately. They said the necessary steps would be taken to provide the “agreed military forces and capabilities” and rapidly deploy them to Saudi Arabia in accordance with the domestic laws of all three countries. The statement did not specify the type, number or location of the forces.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also confirmed after the Riyadh summit that the three countries had held detailed discussions on the forms of support that could be provided for Saudi Arabia’s defence. He added that they had also explored ways to resolve the Yemen crisis peacefully through dialogue.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistani and Turkish forces were playing a support role in the current developments and taking part in missions including reconnaissance. However, he said direct combat operations against the Houthis were currently being conducted by Saudi forces. Al Jazeera also reported that Ankara has yet to publicly confirm any specific deployment of Turkish forces to Saudi Arabia, while the Turkish parliament has not yet ratified the Mecca Pact.