Defence Minister Yaşar Güler has sought to calm speculation that Turkish soldiers could end up fighting the Houthis. Under the Mekka Alliance signed between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, Turkish troops could take on certain duties, and Güler described what those might be. He said the basic purpose of any military support given to Saudi Arabia would be to strengthen deterrence. He then went further, stating that no clash with the Houthis is foreseen at all. His wording suggests Ankara wants a limited, defined role rather than open-ended involvement in the conflict. The minister also turned to Egypt in the same statement. He called for an agreement on maritime jurisdiction zones in the Eastern Mediterranean, pointing to a 15,000 square kilometre advantage he says Turkey holds in the dispute. The combination of reassurance on the Houthi question and pressure on the maritime file shows the government juggling regional commitments and territorial demands at the same time.