Erdoğan Informs bin Salman of Ankara's Support, Announces Referral of Mecca Agreement to Parliament

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a telephone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during which he confirmed Turkey's condemnation of the Houthi attacks targeting Saudi territory in the strongest terms, and conveyed his condolences to the victims.

According to the Turkish presidency, Erdoğan informed the crown prince that Turkey will stand alongside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the coming period, expressing his confidence that this ordeal will be overcome.

In a statement delivered following a cabinet meeting on Monday, Erdoğan announced that the government is working to refer the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement to parliament within the coming days to complete ratification procedures, noting that implementation of the agreement will proceed "on the basis of national legislation, as is the case in NATO."

Erdoğan did not specify any particular operational commitment, nor did he refer to the deployment of forces in Yemen. What he said precisely was that the agreement would be referred to parliament and that Turkey stands with Riyadh — which did not amount to a confirmation of any military intervention.