Politics
Saudi-Turkish ties key to easing regional tensions, ambassador says
Saudi Ambassador to Türkiye Fahad bin Assaad Abu Al-Nasr said cooperation between Riyadh and Ankara is crucial to easing regional tensions, highlighting deepening ties and a shared commitment to diplomacy amid escalating crises.
In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Abu Al-Nasr said Saudi-Turkish relations are witnessing “accelerated qualitative development,” driven by strong political will from both leaderships to expand cooperation and strengthen mutual trust.
He pointed to recent high-level engagements, including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Saudi Arabia in February 2026, as a key milestone in advancing bilateral ties and opening new avenues for cooperation.
The ambassador said both countries aim to expand partnerships across priority sectors such as investment, renewable energy, industry, construction, tourism, logistics and advanced technologies, aligning Türkiye’s Century Vision with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
“Our ambition is not limited to increasing trade volume alone,” he said, emphasizing a focus on sustainable partnerships, knowledge sharing and joint projects that benefit both nations.
Abu Al-Nasr stressed that Saudi Arabia and Türkiye share a common approach to regional challenges, prioritizing dialogue, respect for sovereignty and diplomatic solutions to crises.
Within this framework, he said cooperation between the two countries includes intensified political coordination, consultations on regional developments and joint efforts to support de-escalation.
Addressing recent tensions, the ambassador condemned Iranian attacks targeting Gulf countries and Türkiye, describing them as violations of sovereignty and a threat to regional stability. He said Riyadh continues to act with restraint while working alongside Ankara and other partners to reduce escalation and restore calm.
He also warned that threats to key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, could disrupt global energy supplies, trade flows and essential goods, underlining the importance of safeguarding navigation.
On Gaza and Israeli actions, Abu Al-Nasr reiterated Saudi Arabia’s firm rejection of attacks against Palestinians and warned that policies such as introducing the death penalty for Palestinians represent a dangerous escalation that undermines peace efforts.
He said the Kingdom continues to work with international partners to advance a two-state solution, citing growing global support, including recent diplomatic developments at the United Nations.
The ambassador also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s ongoing humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, noting that aid deliveries and relief operations continue as part of broader efforts to support stability and civilian populations in the region.
Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş confirmed Parliament has a say in by-elections under the Constitution, as the main opposition pushes for it, while the ruling AK Party downplays the need.
Kurtulmuş’s remarks on Thursday come after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ruled out the possibility of a by-election or an early vote.
The speaker said on Thursday that decisions on by-elections fall solely under the authority of the Turkish Parliament and must comply strictly with constitutional provisions.
“The rules for by-elections are clear,” Kurtulmuş said, emphasizing that any decision requires approval by the General Assembly of Parliament and that the speaker’s office holds no discretionary power in initiating such a process.
Most recently, after the Cabinet meeting on Monday, Erdoğan also rejected speculation about early elections, accusing the opposition of attempting to create an artificial political agenda.
“Neither our government nor our nation has early or by-elections in its near-term political plans,” Erdoğan said. He added that the administration remains focused on economic growth and shielding the country from regional instability.
Türkiye is navigating a complex geopolitical environment marked by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Erdoğan noted, stressing that the government’s priority is to maintain stability and strengthen the economy rather than engage in what he described as “manufactured debates.”
In contrast, opposition leaders reiterated calls for elections, arguing that the country needs to return to the ballot box.
Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel also said Thursday that he would support both early general elections and simultaneous local elections.
“If necessary, we are ready,” he said, proposing that municipal councils could resign collectively to trigger new votes.
Özel made the remarks following a meeting with Good Party (IP) leader Müsavat Dervişoğlu at the party’s headquarters in Ankara. The two leaders also discussed the economic impact of recent regional tensions, including attacks on Iran, and shared a report outlining proposed measures.
Dervişoğlu signaled his party’s support for any election scenario. “If there is a vote on by-elections, we would vote ‘yes,’” he said.
Under the Turkish Constitution, elections are held every five years, and adjusting this schedule requires a constitutional amendment. An early election, however, can be possible if other parties agree and if Parliament undergoes a reshuffle. If the number of lawmakers falls by 5%, or 30 deputies, Parliament is obliged to call elections for those constituencies within three months. Eight seats are currently vacant in Parliament for various reasons, and media outlets reported that the CHP may propose the resignation of 22 of its Parliament members to widen the gap, but such resignations can only be accepted by a decision of the General Assembly. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), which holds a majority in Parliament, will be decisive as well.
The CHP has been pushing for an early election since the arrest of its mayor in Istanbul on charges of corruption, though the government has dismissed the calls for rescheduling of the 2028 general election.
Şahin Biba, a candidate of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), was elected as the acting mayor of Türkiye’s fourth-largest city, Bursa, on Thursday, days after his predecessor was arrested on charges of corruption.
A municipal assembly member, Biba secured 61 votes in the third round of the election in the northwestern province. The vote was marred by riots instigated by members of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). Biba succeeds Mustafa Bozbey of the CHP. Authorities banned entry to the city hall during the election as assembly members cast their vote, but CHP officials attempted to force their way into the building, confronting riot police. Some 200 people broke a glass door leading to the second floor of the building after making their way into the building through a parking garage.
Speaking after the election, Biba called “everyone to respect the democratic process and the public will be reflected in the election.”
“You have to respect the will of the majority,” he said, pointing out that the People’s Alliance of the AK Party and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) retained it at the assembly.
Bursa has been a traditional stronghold of the AK Party since 2004. Bozbey, formerly a member of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), which governed the city before the start of the lengthy AK Party tenure, won the 2024 elections. He was detained along with dozens of others on charges of running a criminal organization, bribery, money laundering and zoning violations. After his arrest, he was fired from the office, necessitating a by-election.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke by phone with Kuwait’s foreign minister, Sheikh Jarrah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, on Thursday to discuss regional developments and the latest situation surrounding a temporary cease-fire, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.
The sources said the two officials exchanged views on ongoing tensions in the region and recent efforts aimed at maintaining the cease-fire and preventing further escalation.
No further details of the conversation were immediately disclosed.
Fidan has continued an intense round of telephone diplomacy over the past weeks with multiple counterparts, as well as regional and international officials, aiming to end the conflict since it broke out on Feb. 28 following the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.
Moreover, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has recently held a series of calls with more than 20 world leaders to support a cease-fire in the Iran conflict and push for lasting regional stability.
He also spoke with leaders from the Gulf and Muslim world, including Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Erdoğan also held talks with Kuwait’s Emir, Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sudan’s Sovereignty Council head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The calls were part of an intensive diplomatic effort to prevent further escalation following Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation, and to ensure the cease-fire evolves into a sustainable peace process.
Türkiye on Wednesday said it detained nearly 200 suspects linked to the Daesh terror group in nationwide raids, a day after three armed attackers launched an extended gun battle with police outside the Israeli consulate in Istanbul.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek posted on X that officers had arrested 198 suspects in a simultaneous operation in 34 provinces against “the terrorist organization Daesh”.
A gunman was killed and two others wounded in Tuesday’s shootout with police outside the consulate, with two officers lightly wounded.
Twelve of those arrested have been placed in pre-trial detention, including the two wounded gunmen, who were hospitalized, according to the justice ministry.
No group has claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s shootout.
Turkish media reports said the gunman who was killed was a 32-year-old man linked to Daesh.
The interior ministry said he had ties to a “terrorist organization”, and that the two wounded gunmen were brothers with links to drug trafficking.
Türkiye strongly condemned Israel’s intensifying attacks on Lebanon, warning they are worsening the humanitarian situation and undermining efforts to achieve regional peace and stability, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
In a statement, the ministry said the Israeli strikes have caused significant loss of life and continue despite a recently achieved cease-fire in the region. Lebanon’s civil defense agency said at least 254 people were killed in Israeli attacks, while the country’s health ministry said 837 others were injured.
The ministry criticized the Israeli government for undermining international efforts aimed at securing lasting peace and stability.
Türkiye reaffirmed its support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing the need to preserve the country’s stability.
The ministry also called on the international community to take immediate action to end Israel’s occupation of Lebanese territory and ensure the protection of civilians.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has held a series of calls with more than 20 world leaders to support a cease-fire in the Iran conflict and push for lasting regional stability.
Erdoğan’s diplomatic outreach included talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, as well as key leaders from Europe, the Gulf and international institutions.
Among those contacted were French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
He also spoke with leaders from the Gulf and Muslim world, including Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were also among those contacted, reflecting coordination with Western allies.
Erdoğan also held talks with Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sudan’s Sovereignty Council head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The calls were part of an intensive diplomatic effort to prevent further escalation following Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation, and to ensure the cease-fire evolves into a sustainable peace process.
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