CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu defended his party's support for the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, during his party's group meeting. Stating that Turkey should be a "dominant power" in the region, Kılıçdaroğlu argued that the vacuum he claims has formed in the Middle East must be filled.
In his speech, Kılıçdaroğlu announced that he had also established contact with Yemeni officials. The CHP leader stated, "I also met with Yemeni officials, I met with a Yemeni Minister. I told them, 'If Turkey is coming there for the Mecca Agreement, it is coming to ensure peace in that region, be sure of that. It is coming to ensure stability in that region,' I said."
Following this statement, the question of which political structure the Yemeni officials Kılıçdaroğlu met with represent and their position in the Yemeni war landscape has returned to the agenda.
THE ADMINISTRATION CONTACTED IN YEMEN
It is noted that the party Kılıçdaroğlu contacted is the internationally recognized Presidential Leadership Council in Yemen and the Aden-based administration that this structure represents. The Council was established on April 7, 2022, in Riyadh, when the then-President of Yemen, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, transferred his powers, and Rashad al-Alimi was appointed as its head.
The transfer process in question did not take place through elections. The decisive influence of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the formation of the Council drew attention. On the same day, Saudi Arabia announced a 3 billion dollar support package for the Yemeni economy; it was announced that 2 billion dollars of this would be provided jointly by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and 1 billion dollars by Saudi Arabia.
It is reported that the Riyadh administration's support has continued in subsequent years, with approximately 3 billion dollars in resources allocated in 2026 for the salaries of armed forces and public employees in Yemen. For this reason, the Aden-based administration is debated not only for its international recognition but also for its structure, which is dependent on Saudi support.
The current landscape of the war in Yemen was shaped by developments in 2015. Following Ansar Allah's seizure of control in the capital, Sana'a, Saudi Arabia led a military intervention in Yemen with the support of the US and the UK. The justification for the intervention was to return the Hadi administration to power.
Years of war, bombardment, and blockade have led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Today, while areas in the north, including the capital Sana'a, where a significant portion of the population lives, are under the control of Ansar Allah, the Presidential Leadership Council maintains its presence in some regions in the south and east of the country.
Kılıçdaroğlu's statement comes at a time when military balances on the ground have become difficult for the Aden-based administration. It is reported that Ansar Allah forces have advanced to within 80 kilometers of Aden, and that Saudi-backed forces have been forced to retreat in clashes on the Taiz-Aden line.
While the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan is expected to be brought to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), the impact this military mechanism will have on the balances in Yemen is also among the topics of debate.
News Source: 12punto
