Questions raised on Turkish influence in Qatar

Islam Mohamed

The latest visit to Doha by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received massive Arab condemnation, especially given the dubious nature of relations between Turkey and Qatar.

Ankara just wants to revive the Ottoman influence in the region, using Qatar to achieve this goal.

Arab states accuse the regime of Qatari emir Tamim bin Hamad as being a mere lackey of Ankara.

Qatar came at the center of criticism, especially after a new site affiliated to the Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party ran a post on Twitter, in which it said Qatar’s allegiance to Turkey is a wise move on the part of Turkish President Erdoğan.

“Arabs are mere affiliates of the Ottoman Empire,” the site wrote.

It said Turkey was instrumental in bringing emir Tamim to power in Qatar, instead of his brother, Jassim, because the latter was more leaned towards Arabs.

“He would have posed danger to our influence in the region,” the site said of emir Jassim.

Days before Erdoğan visited Doha, the Turkish Foreign Ministry appointed a new ambassador in the Qatari capital. The new ambassador is a close associate of the ruling Justice and Development Party.

Qatar helps Turkey implement its agenda in the region, including by reviving Ottoman influence in it.

Assistant Qatari Foreign Minister Lolwah al-Khater referred to the presence of identical views in both Doha and Ankara on almost all regional issues.

She said the two capitals back the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA).

Al-Khater told the Qatari news channel al-Jazeera that both Doha and Ankara worked to serve the interests of the Libyan people.

However, she said the two capitals would help the GNA impose its control on all Libyan territories.