🔍 Turkish military buildup in Saudi Arabia may initially be limited to special forces and air defenses – reports

Turkey is planning to deploy additional equipment, technicians, emergency response teams, and support personnel to Saudi Arabia under the Mecca Pact, Turkish officials told Middle East Eye, commenting on the October 5 joint statement issued by the pact’s signatories.

Turkey has maintained technical teams, air defense systems, and electronic warfare equipment in the Gulf kingdom since 2025 to protect critical infrastructure, including energy facilities.

One official said that limited forces are being deployed under a 2010 military training agreement between Saudi Arabia and Turkey, but any major deployment would require parliamentary approval. The official also noted that the Mecca Pact has yet to be ratified by Turkey’s Grand National Assembly.

The Turkish parliament could formally authorize the deployment of a limited number of Turkish special forces as early as later this month, according to another official.

Separate sources told MEE that Turkey could also send an undisclosed number of pilots and aircraft to Saudi Arabia to counter Houthi-launched drones and ballistic missiles.

According to Saudi sources cited by the publication, Turkish troops would operate alongside Saudi and Pakistani forces from a joint coordination center, while Turkey’s command unit would operate from a separate facility.

The primary purpose of the military presence is reportedly to protect critical Saudi infrastructure, particularly the East-West Oil Pipeline, Tasnim News reports.

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