Shoukry’s visit to Türkiye: New blow to Brotherhood

Noura Bendari

Media platforms affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, classified as a terrorist organization in a number of countries, work hard to downplay the role Egypt plays in the region.

When Türkiye and northern Syria were rocked by earthquakes on February 6, Egypt was at the forefront of countries hurrying to offer support to the Syrians and the Turks on the following day.

Upon directives by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, five military aircraft loaded with urgent medical aid headed to the two countries.

On February 23, two military planes were sent to Türkiye with large amounts of aid, including medicines and medical supplies.

Egyptian support

The first medical rescue team to reach opposition-controlled areas in northern Syria on February 8 was an Egyptian one.

This prompted the Syrian Civil Defence Organization to thank the Egyptian leadership for supporting the Syrian people, especially in these areas that lack the minimum necessities of life.

Nevertheless, media platforms affiliated with the Brotherhood did not blow any whistle on the assistance provided by Egypt to affected people in Syria or Türkiye.

On the contrary, these platforms tried to whitewash Egyptian support, especially given the fact that this support comes at a time Egypt – like other countries – suffers from the negative repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Blow to Brotherhood

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry visited Türkiye on February 27, for the first time since 2013.

The visit came under the slogan ‘repairing the rift’.

It constituted a new blow to the Brotherhood, which caused some observes to call it a ‘new earthquake striking the Brotherhood’.

This is especially true since Ankara previously hosted a number of Egyptian Brotherhood leaders.

However, during 2021, Türkiye closed a number of Brotherhood media outlets.

This in turn prompted a number of Brotherhood leaders to leave Türkiye for fear of being handed over to Egyptian authorities.

It should be noted that during the foreign minister’s visit to Türkiye, he highlighted Egypt’s constant readiness to provide a helping hand and assistance to affected people in Türkiye and Syria.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, for his part, said the visit of his Egyptian counterpart meant a lot.

“We will open a new chapter in our relations with Egypt,” the Turkish foreign minister said.

Egyptian pillars

Director of the Arab Centre for Political Studies Mohamed Sadek Ismail said the visit of the Egyptian foreign minister to Türkiye and Syria at this time confirms that Egypt’s foreign policy is based on two main pillars: a historical dimension and a humanitarian dimension.

“Egypt has extended relations with Syria and has always been ready to put forward initiatives to resolve the Syrian crisis,” Ismail told The Reference.

He added that Egypt is ready to extend a helping hand to all countries.

Ismail described the visit as ‘very important’.

It was preceded, he said, by steps to win Türkiye to the Egyptian side.

He expected Ankara to reciprocate to the Egyptian move, especially given the fact that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan tries to use all cards to put his country at the centre of events once more, ahead of the Turkish presidential elections.