Ahmed Atef (Cairo)
Experts and analysts in security and strategic affairs affirmed that strengthening and developing Emirati-Turkish relations, in the economic, political and other fields, will be reflected in supporting the security and stability of the region, especially with the strengthening of security relations in the field of combating extremism and terrorism.
The experts praised Al-Ittihad for the Turkish security and diplomatic rhetoric, pointing out Ankara’s condemnation of the terrorist attacks against the UAE, stressing that these attacks are a clear violation of international law, and they emphasized the existence of opportunities for joint cooperation in combating terrorism.
The experts considered that Ankara’s intensification of efforts to combat the terrorist organization “ISIS” will, of course, reflect on the region, and enhance the region’s efforts in general in combating terrorism, which is what the UAE calls for within the framework of its foreign policy and active diplomacy.
The United Arab Emirates joined the international coalition against ISIS in 2014, and played a pivotal role in combating the terrorist organization. It is part of the strategic communications and stability working teams, as it focuses intensively on stabilizing the areas liberated from ISIS in Syria and Iraq. For its part, in 2016, Turkey joined the international coalition against ISIS.
The strategic expert and National Security Adviser, Major General Sayed Ghoneim, says that the Emirati-Turkish relations have witnessed a remarkable development during the last period, especially with regard to the security and diplomatic discourse, which was evident in Ankara’s condemnation of the terrorist attacks against the UAE.
Ghoneim added in a phone call to Al-Ittihad: The strengthening of relations and coordination between the two countries will, of course, reflect positively on the file of combating terrorism, especially in light of the danger posed by the terrorist “Houthi” militias and associated groups and the threat they pose to navigation in the Red Sea, explaining that the Ankara has interests in the Red Sea, as well as in the African Sahel region, and some African countries.
The National Security Adviser pointed out that Turkey has recently arrested members of the terrorist organization ISIS, which is reflected in regional security and support for stability in the region, in addition to combating Kurdish terrorist designations.
The UAE and Turkey signed 10 bilateral agreements recently, during the visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to Ankara last November. Among the signed agreements was a memorandum of understanding on the exchange of financial information in The context of combating money laundering and terrorist financing, which was signed on the Turkish side by the head of the Financial Crimes Investigation Board at the Turkish Ministry of Treasury and Finance Khairuddin Kurt, and from the UAE side, Ali Faisal Baalawi, head of the Financial Information Unit at the UAE Central Bank.
In addition, Director of the Eastern Mediterranean Forum for Political and Strategic Studies, Mohamed Hamed, explained that strengthening Emirati-Turkish relations in various fields, especially security relations, would support the two countries’ efforts to combat terrorism.
In statements to Al-Ittihad, Hamed pointed out that Ankara has intensified its efforts to combat terrorist and extremist groups, whether they are supported by countries or agencies, noting the moves to confront terrorist elements affiliated with ISIS.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the terrorist acts carried out with ballistic missiles and drones against civilian targets in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, and called for an immediate cessation of such attacks, which it considered a clear violation of international law.