Türkiye stands with Saudi Arabia; progress on the joint defense agreement is ongoing: Turkish President.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has strongly condemned the Houthi attack on Riyadh and, while emphasizing diplomacy for regional peace, stated that preparations are underway to institutionalize defense cooperation among Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.
Amid rising tensions in the Middle East and new challenges facing regional security, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has expressed strong solidarity with Saudi Arabia and affirmed that Turkey remains committed to its principled stance of upholding peace and stability in the region.
While strongly condemning the Houthi attack in Riyadh, the Turkish President announced that the process of transforming the joint defense agreement between Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia into an effective and sustainable institutional framework is underway, and preparations are being made to present the agreement to the Turkish Parliament in the coming days for domestic ratification.
Speaking after a Turkish cabinet meeting, President Erdoğan stated that the scope of conflicts in the region is widening; however, despite the crises surrounding it, Türkiye is consolidating its position as a strong hub of stability, confidence, and peace.
According to the Turkish President, tensions are escalating across the region—stretching from Lebanon to Yemen and Iran—with particular efforts being made to achieve various objectives through proxy forces.
He stated that Türkiye believes in the shared responsibility and mutual cooperation of regional countries to resolve regional issues. Instead of taking disputes to the battlefield, they should be settled through negotiations, dialogue, and diplomacy. Mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity forms the basis of Türkiye’s principled stance.
President Erdoğan warned that attempts to plunge the region into division and chaos would serve only the interests of those malicious elements intent on bathing the entire region in bloodshed.
Strongly condemns attack on Riyadh, expresses solidarity with Saudi Arabia
President Erdoğan condemned, in the strongest terms, the attack carried out by the Houthis on October 10 targeting Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. According to him, 12 people lost their lives and 309 were injured in the attack.
The Turkish President prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased—among whom were individuals who had come to perform Umrah—and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The Turkish President made it clear that Türkiye stands with Saudi Arabia and its people against such attacks, which violate the law and humanity.
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Preparations underway to present the joint defense agreement to the Turkish parliament.
Referring to the joint defense agreement concluded between Türkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia on August 7, President Erdoğan stated that the process of establishing the necessary institutional framework for it is currently underway.
He noted that defense cooperation is being advanced along two primary lines: the first priority is achieving the goals of collective defense and regional cooperation, while the second is transforming this cooperation into a sustainable, effective, and functional institutional system.
President Erdoğan clarified that, much like NATO operations, activities under this joint defense agreement would be conducted in accordance with Türkiye’s national laws and legal regulations.
He dismissed speculations attempting to misrepresent Türkiye’s position, stating that there is no substance to claims portraying the country in a different light.
According to the Turkish President, preparations are underway to present the joint defense agreement to the Turkish parliament in the coming days for the completion of internal approval procedures.
Peace and stability are Turkey’s top priority
Concluding his address, President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye’s stance, sensitivities, and principles are clear. Türkiye does not view regional conflicts through an ethnic or sectarian lens; rather, it seeks to establish peace and stability across the entire region.
He affirmed that Türkiye would continue to champion peace based on the principles of regional cooperation and shared responsibility, and would persist in its efforts toward this goal.
