ANKARA/ISTANBUL: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday he believed relations with Washington would improve under President-elect Donald Trump and that the two NATO allies would reach an easier consensus on regional issues.
Ties between the US and Turkey — which has the second largest army in the NATO alliance and is key to the US-led fight against Daesh in Syria and Iraq — have deteriorated sharply since a failed military coup in July.
Erdogan and the government blame the abortive putsch on Fethullah Gulen, a cleric who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, and want him extradited. Gulen denies involvement in the coup.
Ankara has also been angered by US support for a Kurdish militia group fighting Daesh in Syria. Turkey sees the group as an extension of the PKK, which has waged a three-decade insurgency for Kurdish autonomy in southeastern Turkey and has been behind a spate of recent bombings.
“I believe we will accelerate dialogue when Mr. Trump takes office,” Erdogan told a conference of Turkish ambassadors. “I believe we will reach a consensus with Mr. Trump, particularly on regional issues.”
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told the envoys he believed Trump would not make what he called the same mistakes as the outgoing US administration. Washington should extradite Gulen and end cooperation with the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia.
The US has long been cast by some nationalist and radical elements as the guiding hand behind plots to undermine Turkey. Conspiracy theories have reached fever pitch in recent weeks, and in some cases been fueled by elected officials.
The hard-line Yeni Akit newspaper said last week that a New Year’s Day shooting which killed 39 people in an Istanbul nightclub, claimed by Daesh, was a “joint production” by the CIA, Israel’s Mossad spy agency, and what the Turkish government calls “FETO,” the Gulenist Terror Organization.
“Daesh, the PKK and FETO are terror groups with strings linked to the same center. Along with many secret services, the most active user is the CIA,” Samil Tayyar, a ruling AK Party lawmaker, said on Twitter after the attack.
Such comments prompted a rebuke last Thursday from US State Department spokesman John Kirby: “Incendiary and false accusations about the US in Turkish media are offensive and could endanger our citizens. Must stop,” he wrote on Twitter.
Any honeymoon with the new Trump administration is likely to be short-lived.
US officials have made clear the issue of Gulen’s extradition is a matter for the courts, not a question of political will, and that such a process could take years.
Trump’s policy on the Kurdish YPG is unclear. He has indicated, though, that his priority in the multi-sided Syrian conflict will be fighting Daesh — not forcing President Bashar Assad to leave power as Turkey has long desired.
Erdogan sees better ties with US under Trump
Erdogan sees better ties with US under Trump
UAE to withdraw counter-terrorism units in Yemen, reiterates respect for Saudi sovereignty
- Abu Dhabi emphasized its commitment to maintaining close coordination with Riyadh on all matters of mutual concern
ABU DHABI: The UAE announced the withdrawal of its remaining counter-terrorism units in Yemen on Tuesday, citing recent developments and concerns over the safety and effectiveness of ongoing operations.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and carried on Emirates News Agency, the Ministry of Defense said the decision was taken voluntarily and in coordination with relevant international partners, ensuring the safety of UAE personnel
The move follows a comprehensive assessment of current conditions and aligns with the UAE’s broader commitments to regional security and stability, the statement added.
The ministry reiterated that the UAE formally ended its military presence in Yemen in 2019 after completing its agreed missions as part of the Arab Coalition supporting Yemen’s legitimate government.
Since then, its presence had been limited to specialized counter-terrorism teams operating alongside international partners.
The UAE has been part of the Arab Coalition since 2015, contributing to efforts to support legitimacy in Yemen, combat terrorist organisations, and promote security and stability in the country, the statement added.
Earlier on Tuesday, the UAE reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security and sovereignty, rejecting any actions that could threaten the Kingdom or undermine regional stability.
In a statement issued in response to recent remarks by Saudi Arabia regarding developments in Yemen, the UAE stressed that it fully respects Saudi Arabia’s national security and considers the fraternal and historical ties between the two countries a cornerstone of regional stability.
Abu Dhabi emphasized its commitment to maintaining close coordination with Riyadh on all matters of mutual concern.
The UAE said its position since the start of events in Yemen’s eastern governorates of Hadramawt and Al-Mahra has been focused on containing tensions, supporting de-escalation, and working toward understandings that preserve security, stability, and the protection of civilians, in coordination with Saudi Arabia.
Abu Dhabi categorically rejected any attempt to implicate it in tensions between Yemeni factions, condemning allegations that it pressured or directed any party to carry out military operations that threaten Saudi Arabia’s security or target its borders.
The UAE also called for recent developments in eastern Yemen to be handled responsibly to prevent escalation, urging reliance on verified facts and coordination among all relevant parties to safeguard shared interests and maintain regional security and stability.
