Turkey scrambles for regional footing as Qatar debacle expands
Head-spinning developments in the region have lead to interesting realignments as a cautious President Recep Tayyip Erdogan works to deploy Turkish forces in Qatar and meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Ankara.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan broke his silence over the crisis engulfing his country’s closest Arab ally Qatar today, condemning the actions of the group of Gulf countries that cut off ties with the emirate over its alleged support for extremist groups and Iran. In a related move, Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has decided to fast-track bills to deploy Turkish forces in Qatar and train Qatari troops in its legislative agenda. Turkey is building a base in Qatar that will eventually host up to 10,000 troops under an accord in which Turkey pledged to defend the Gulf state.
Erdogan was, however, uncharacteristically mild in his rebukes. “I’d like to say that we don’t find sanctions against Qatar right,” he said at a gathering in Ankara. He added, “The most appropriate way for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to solve their internal problems is through dialogue. In this respect, we admire Qatar’s constructive and level-headed approach.”
Erdogan also renewed an earlier offer by Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to mediate between Qatar and the group of countries led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that are squeezing its independent-minded leader, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. “We are ready to do everything to resolve other countries’ problems with Qatar," he said.
His comments came before a surprise meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Ankara. Iran's envoy is believed to have requested the meeting to discuss the dispute. Speaking to reporters in Ankara amid news of today’s terrorist attack in Tehran, for which responsibility has been claimed by the Islamic State, Zarif underlined the need for greater cooperation between Turkey and Iran.
