13.10.2026 17:16
President Erdoğan held a phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Salman. At the summit, the Houthis' attacks against Saudi Arabia were discussed. In a statement by the Communications Directorate regarding the meeting, it was said, "Our President stated that Turkey will continue to stand by Saudi Arabia in the coming period and that he believes this challenge will be overcome."
President Erdoğan held a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Salman. The main topic of the conversation was the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
ERDOĞAN AND SALMAN HOLD "HOUTHI" SUMMIT
In a statement made by the Communications Directorate on the matter, the following statements were included: "Our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, held a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
During the conversation, the latest developments in our region and the attacks on Saudi Arabia were discussed.
President Erdoğan stated that as Türkiye we condemn in the strongest terms the Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabian territory, and expressed his sorrow and condolences for those who lost their lives. Our President stated that in the coming period as well, Türkiye will stand by Saudi Arabia and that he believes this test will be overcome."
Meanwhile, MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, in his speech at his party's group meeting in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, reacted harshly to the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Bahçeli said, "We cannot turn a blind eye to the Houthi attacks. All kinds of military support must be given to Saudi Arabia. We will do whatever is necessary; if diplomacy is not enough, deterrent capabilities must be used."
BAHÇELİ: THE HOUTHIS MUST IMMEDIATELY END THEIR ATTACKS
Bahçeli said, "They have caused heavy civilian casualties. They are targeting peace and stability in the region. They pose serious risks for international trade and energy supply security. All kinds of military support must be given to Saudi Arabia. We cannot turn a blind eye to the Houthi attacks. Türkiye will continue its solidarity with Saudi Arabia."
Bahçeli said, "Our faith in our sacred lands has never diminished; the Houthis must immediately end their attacks. Regional disputes must be resolved through dialogue. No more Muslim blood should be shed. The Islamic world must be united and whole; fratricidal strife must end as soon as possible. All kinds of support must be given to Riyadh."
HOUTHI ATTACKS ON SAUDI ARABIA
The Houthi attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, had once again escalated tensions in the region. According to initial statements, 13 people lost their lives and hundreds were injured in the attacks. Targeting the airport increased concerns regarding civil security as well as air transportation, international trade, and energy supply security in the region.
THE MECCA ALLIANCE ALSO CAME ON THE AGENDA
The intensification of Houthi missile and unmanned aerial vehicle attacks on Saudi Arabia brought the defense cooperation within the framework of the Mecca Alliance, in which Türkiye and Pakistan are also named, back onto the agenda. After the attacks on Riyadh, it began to be discussed under what conditions allied countries could provide military or logistical support. The scope of Türkiye's and Pakistan's potential contributions is being evaluated in terms of the countries' security priorities and their obligations within the alliance framework.
Türkiye had also condemned the UAV attack targeting Mecca on September 16 and declared its support for Saudi Arabia's security.
Following these developments, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli's call for support for Saudi Arabia and his words "If diplomacy is not enough, deterrent capabilities must be used" came at a time when military tension in the region was rising.