ANKARA — President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia held a high-level telephonic consultation to discuss deepening bilateral ties and addressing escalating regional crises, according to an official statement from the Turkish Presidency.
The conversation focused on a wide-ranging agenda, spanning from the Horn of Africa to the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.
President Erdoğan emphasized Türkiye’s commitment to “further deepen the cooperation” between Ankara and Riyadh. The two leaders discussed strategic steps to be taken in the coming period to bolster the partnership between the two major regional powers, which have seen a significant warming of relations over the past two years.
Preservation of Territorial Integrity
A key portion of the call was dedicated to the stability of Somalia and Yemen. President Erdoğan noted that Türkiye is monitoring developments in both nations with close concern. He underscored that the preservation of the territorial integrity of both Somalia and Yemen is a non-negotiable prerequisite for long-term regional stability.
Regarding the protracted conflict in Yemen, the President reaffirmed Türkiye’s proactive stance, stating that the country stands ready to facilitate mediation efforts to bring the warring parties together for a peaceful resolution.
This development occurs as the UAE was forced by SA to abruptly withdraw from Yemen. Rumors are circulating that Türkiye and Saudi Arabia are privately coordinating a strategy to accelerate the UAE’s exit from Somalia, specifically from Somaliland and Puntland, as a counter-measure against what is perceived as the Israeli-backed balkanization of Somalia.
Urgent Call for Gaza Reconstruction
The leaders also addressed the “deteriorating situation” in Gaza, where the onset of winter has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis for displaced Palestinians. President Erdoğan briefed the Crown Prince on Türkiye’s ongoing diplomatic and humanitarian endeavors, which include:
Advocating for the establishment of a permanent ceasefire and the planning for the extensive reconstruction of Gaza to restore essential infrastructure.
The call signals a continued alignment between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia as they navigate complex geopolitical shifts and seek to present a unified front on Islamic and regional interests.
