Turkey Submits Defense Pact with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan

Turkey has submitted a defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to parliament for ratification, sources say Jerusalem Post. The Mecca Defence Pact, signed in August, establishes an international defense alliance similar to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, committing signatories to mutual defense Middle East Eye.

The pact is expected to bolster regional security amid ongoing tensions with the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Turkish officials indicated that Turkey’s contribution would be limited to military equipment, intelligence sharing, and weapons systems Jerusalem Post. This move comes as Saudi Arabia faces increasing threats from Houthi attacks on its oil infrastructure, leading to rising crude prices and supply disruptions OilPrice.

In response to these threats, the UK announced the deployment of Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets to Saudi Arabia for defensive missions. The aircraft will protect Saudi cities and critical infrastructure against missile and drone attacks but will not engage in offensive operations against the Houthis Middle East Monitor. Additionally, an RAF A400M transport aircraft will be deployed to support logistics operations.

The ongoing conflict also impacts oil markets, with Brent crude prices reaching $108 due to Houthi strikes on Saudi facilities. Asian liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices have surged to their highest levels since December 2022, driven by increased attacks on tankers and winter demand concerns OilPrice.

Furthermore, negotiations for 2027 term oil deals between Saudi Arabia and Asian refiners are at a stalemate. The Iran war has disrupted fixed-term supplies this year, forcing Middle Eastern exporters to rely more on spot sales OilPrice. This dispute highlights the complex interplay of regional security and energy markets in the Middle East.