Abbas to visit Turkey mid August as both condemn Haniyeh’s killing
The visit is scheduled amid rising tensions after the Hamas leader's assassination in Tehran, with experts urging Turkey to exercise caution vis-a-vis Hamas amid regional instability.
ANKARA — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is set to visit Ankara on Aug. 14-15, Turkey announced on Wednesday, as tensions in the region have further escalated after the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran early Wednesday.
After he meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Aug. 14, Abbas is expected to give a speech in Turkish parliament the next day, the Turkish Presidency’s Directorate of Communications said.
Erdogan publicly scolded Abbas last week for failing to respond to his invitation to give a speech in parliament. Quickly stepping into the fray, Palestine’s Ambassador to Ankara Faed Mustafa expressed on Sunday appreciation for Turkey’s “unswerving support” for Palestinians.
The announcement of the visit comes amid a major escalation in the region after the killing of Hamas’ political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, early Wednesday morning in northern Tehran, where he traveled to attend the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Along with Haniyeh, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also attended the ceremony. Iran vowed to avenge the killing, threatening “harsh punishments” for the perpetrators.
