Analysis
Turkey turns to Iran to contain Houthis as Saudi defense commitments grow
Ankara is trying to contain the fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis through Tehran’s help, but Iran may see an advantage in allowing the Houthis to maintain pressure on the kingdom.
ANKARA — As Turkey prepares to expand its military support for Saudi Arabia against escalating Houthi attacks, Ankara is also asking Tehran to help calm the fighting.
But Iran may have little incentive to push for quick de-escalation, and the extent of its sway over Houthi decision-making remains unclear.
Turkey’s de-escalation efforts gained steam after Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan signaled last week that Ankara was pushing for a dialogue.
Turkey is “doing everything we can to resolve the situation through peace and dialogue,” Fidan said on Oct. 8, adding that Saudi Arabia was providing “constructive support” for those efforts.
