When we set out on a highly significant Gulf tour with Turkish Foreign Minister HakanFidan, the scene resembled a blazing battlefield. Each country had prepared special air corridors for our aircraft to pass through skies that had become dangerous due to missiles and warplanes – and we strictly adhered to those routes.
When we landed in Riyadh, foreign ministers from 12 countries were preparing to begin diplomatic talks, while missiles were passing overhead.
One of the most striking headlines of this tour – and for me, one of its most important outcomes – was a sudden meeting in Riyadh between the foreign ministers of four countries to discuss a different issue.
Officials I had previously spoken with confirmed that there were intentions to build such an alliance, but without any concrete steps. Later, a security agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia was announced. However, Türkiye and Egypt had not taken any tangible steps in this direction.
Amid this atmosphere, foreign ministers of 12 countries gathered in Riyadh to discuss Iranian retaliatory attacks on Gulf states.
As for the unexpected and separate meeting, we learned about it while we were on the plane returning from Abu Dhabi. The moment I saw the image presented to us, I immediately realised that this was an extremely important meeting that would influence the future of the region.
It was quite remarkable that the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Türkiye held a meeting in Riyadh to discuss the structure of a new alliance, while strikes were passing overhead, and then announced it to the public. Clearly, the aim was to send a specific message.
When we met Minister HakanFidan on the plane – while we were, of course, flying above the clouds and the missiles – the meeting was the first question I asked him.Fidan spoke with notable clarity:“As countries that possess a certain degree of influence in the region, we will explore how to unify our capabilities to solve problems.
“Fundamentally, we must understand this: either we come together and learn how to solve our own problems, or an external power will impose solutions that serve its interestsor simply stand by and prevent any solution from emerging.We must trust one another, work together on certain issues, and take common positions….”
These four capitals maintain relationships capable of influencing many other countries. Therefore, if these influential states form such an alliance, many other Islamic countries are likely to join as well.
Since the Gaza war, intellectuals, thinkers, and academics have been proposing ideas about uniting the Islamic world. These public calls indicate that there is a societal foundation for such an alliance.
The logic behind the alliance is: Islamic countries must solve their own problems and also take responsibility for their own defence. The situation has reached an existential stage, making the creation of a new security and defence alliance necessary.
Each country has different capabilities and resources; combining them would create a stronger force that ensures security, defence, and deterrence.
Since these four countries possess some of the strongest capabilities among Islamic nations in various fields, their coming together initially would create a highly significant momentum.
Since the announcement of this new alliance framework, Israel has been working to obstruct or sabotage the process through various methods and tactics.
While sending messages to certain countries, it has also been promoting narratives in public opinion aimed at distorting the image of this alliance.
Former Israeli prime ministers, along with writers and commentators in American media, have been using terms such as “extremist Islamic alliance,” “radical Sunni alliance,” and “Turkey is the new Iran.” It is clear that Israel is disturbed by this alliance and is making serious efforts to undermine it.
However, the fact that the four countries publicly announced this meeting indicates that they have taken all obstacles into account and have embarked on this path.
I hope there will be no turning back.
[Kemal Öztürk in Aljazeera]
Compiled and Translated by Faizul Haque