Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt back Saudi Arabia's self-defence claim
The foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt issued a joint statement affirming Riyadh's right to defend itself under international law and urging safe navigation amid Houthi attacks.
During a side meeting at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the four ministers reiterated support for Saudi Arabia's self-defence against the Iran-backed Houthi assaults on shipping. They highlighted the importance of protecting maritime routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The statement also expressed deep concern over regional conflicts and called for dialogue and diplomacy as the only path to lasting peace, while endorsing Yemen's government's stability efforts.
Why it matters
The joint stance signals coordinated regional backing for Saudi Arabia's military response, affecting Red Sea shipping security and diplomatic dynamics.
How this story developed
- Aug 28 Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey launch Mecca Defence Alliance, secretariat set in Riyadh
- Sep 3 Greece delivered a diplomatic note to Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, instructed by Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, contesting Turkish objections to Greek spatial planning frameworks and the creation of two national maritime parks. Athens maintains that international treaties define Aegean sovereignty and that Turkey’s own maritime park declarations overstep its jurisdiction. Both sides exchanged notes reiterating their positions, while Greece pledged to raise any unilateral Turkish actions with European partners. Despite tensions, intelligence chiefs met to keep security cooperation alive, and leaders plan to attend the UN General Assembly.
- Sep 6 Turkey reiterated its long‑standing claims over continental shelves.
- Sep 13 Pakistan reiterated that no immediate military response under the Makkah pact is being discussed.
- Sep 13 The Greek prime minister publicly called for dialogue with Turkey while maintaining a formal protest over Turkey’s maritime park claims.
- Sep 17 U.S. intelligence officials warn that the planned sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia may enable China to obtain classified radar and intelligence systems.
- Sep 17 Washington has moved from earlier concerns to signaling support for the Saudi F‑35 package.
- Sep 18 State Department formally informed Congress of the intended sale.
- Sep 21 Prime Minister Andy Burnham has authorized British aircraft to provide defensive air-to-air refuelling for Saudi jets fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen.
- Sep 21 Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he agreed to Saudi Arabia's request for defensive air-to-air refuelling while travelling to New York for a United Nations General Assembly meeting.
- Sep 22 Burnham announced the decision while traveling to the UN General Assembly.
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