Turkish-Saudi relations became strategic in the 21st century. But then the relationship got into trouble. However, since the beginning of 2020, the de-escalation of relations between them has been noticeable. (Pictured quoted from the BBC)

Over the past three months, Saudi Arabia and Turkey have exchanged several positive signals and pulses such as the order of King Salman bin Abdulaziz to send medical aid to Turkey, consultation between Erdogan and King Salman over expanding bilateral relations, Saudi Foreign Minister's good remarks on Turkey, and the meeting of Saudi and Turkey’s Foreign Ministers. The following article examines the most important points of competition between the two countries while relieving tensions between them.

Competition in the crises of the Middle East

Developments in the Middle East have led to the increasing of competition between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. In fact, these two important players in the Middle East still disagree on how to deal with regional crises. This process began during the Egyptian crisis.

Despite initial alignments between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, there is disagreement over the role of Iran, the United States and the Kurds in Syria. The continuation of the dispute also caused the two countries to practically separate their way in Syria and to face off each other in some arenas.

In addition, the two countries have not been able to coordinate in the Yemeni crisis and have a common approach to the separatists in the south of Yemen and Ansarollah.

The Erdogan administration's efforts to gain a foothold on the important Palestinian issue are also significant. Meanwhile, although Turkey's role in Palestinian’s public opinion has become more appropriate, but, Riyadh practically does not want Turkey to play a greater role in the Palestinian issue. In addition, the Libyan government hopes that Turkey will support it against Haftar (backed by Riyadh).

Scope of competition in Turkish-Saudi relations

From Riyadh's point of view, the danger of Turkey becoming the first power in the region and the vast political and economic activities of Ankara in the Arab countries’ crisis was more tangible. From this point of view, the danger of creating a Turkish-centered Arab bloc would weaken Saudi Arabia's role and increase the risk of the Ottomans returning to the Arab world.  In fact, Ankara is playing a disruptive role against Riyadh as the leader of the Arab world.

In addition, in the past decade, the Saudis have expected Turkey to take a tougher stance toward Iran's role and the country’s nuclear program, but Turkey's interests and approaches were different.

In another dimension, during the crisis in Qatar and the siege of the country by the Gulf Cooperation Council, Turkey, by supporting Qatar, and its opposition to the 13 conditions set by the Arab countries for Qatar, and by Ankara-Doha military agreement, etc. increased divergence and rivalry in the Persian Gulf region.

Turkey and Saudi Arabia are competing for strategic influence and power in the Middle East, especially in the Arab world. Turkey continues to support the Muslim Brotherhood, and Saudi Arabia sees it as a threat. In fact, it seems that Saudi Arabia is trying to oppose Turkey in the Arab world in the international Mediterranean polarizations and blockades in the Arab world. Therefore, the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Riyadh continues.

In the meantime, Riyadh does not seem to tolerate the establishment of a military base in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, and Turkey's presence in the Red Sea, close to Saudi Arabia. Also, Turkey's soft power among the Arabs for a decade and Saudi efforts to neutralize the popularity of Turkish culture is continuing.

The future of Turkish-Saudi relations

The current relationship between Ankara and Riyadh is a mix of kind of detente while competing. Among these, variables such as relations with the United States, relations with Iran, the interests of each country in regional crises and the type of expectations from the other, can determine the future direction of the type of competition in Turkish-Saudi relations. In fact, the two sides are not looking to improve their relationship to the level of a strategic alliance, but are trying to reduce the scope of competition and confront each other completely.

Farzad Ramezani Bonesh

Senior Researcher and Analyst of International Affairs