By Denis Korkodinov
Turkish-Qatari relations intensified after the blockade organized by Saudi Arabia against Doha in June 2017. This allowed Ankara to increase its military presence in the Persian Gulf. However, the prospect of Turkish influence could create a problem for American interests, which are supported by the Al-Udeid military base.
Ankara deployed its military contingent at the base of Tariq ibn Zeyad in Qatar. This base was named in honor of the leader of the Berber tribe, who led the Muslim campaign in Spain in the VIII century. Currently, the Turkish military presence in the region is provided exclusively through a mechanized battalion of 300 people. However, in the near future, Turkey intends to increase its military contingent to 2,000 people.
It is worth noting that Turkey was one of the first to support Doha during the “blockade campaign.” In particular, almost immediately after the statement by Riyadh of claims against Qatar, Ankara provided military and humanitarian assistance to the Al Thani regime. Such a Turkish step was positively received by the Qatari emirate, as a result of which rather strong relations developed between Doha and Ankara. In turn, Recep Erdogan began using the Qatar factor to exert pressure on Tehran and Riyadh.
The increase in Turkish presence in the region has led to increased tension between Turks and Saudis. So, among the points of the Saudi ultimatum presented to Doha, there was a demand for an end to military cooperation between Qatar and Turkey. And just because this requirement has not yet been fulfilled, Riyadh sees no reason to resume a constructive dialogue with Ankara.
Recep Erdogan could well have kept the size of the military contingent in Qatar unchanged. At least, the presence of 300 Turkish troops in the vicinity of Doha almost completely meets the Qatari protection needs. However, the increase in the military contingent to 2,000 people can be regarded as a manifestation of the desire of the Turkish leader to protect not so much Qatar as its own interests in the region.
Skillfully maneuvering between Riyadh, Washington and Ankara, Doha shows diplomatic talent that allows her to quickly win friends in the international arena. At the same time, an increase in the Turkish presence in the region may create problems in the near future in US-Qatar relations, since the White House administration may consider the Turkish military contingent as a potential threat to its interests. But while the numerical advantage is on the side of the United States, which has 14,000 people at the Al-Udeid military base.
(The views expressed in this article belong only to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Geostrategic Insights)
Image Credit: Qatar News Agency/AP