Saudi Arabia has tossed Turkey in the ‘triangle of evil’, which includes arch rival Iran and extremist Islamist groups as tensions between the two countries hype over Ankara’s support to Qatar in the diplomatic row opposing the tiny Gulf country to its regional neighbors.
Crown Prince Mohamed, in an interview with Egyptian media editors-in-chief, described Turkey and its President as trying to reinstate the Islamic Caliphate, abolished nearly a century ago when the Ottoman Empire collapsed, Middle East Monitor reports citing Egyptian Al-Shorouk newspaper.
The Crown Prince told the media editors that Turkey, Iran and hardline Islamist groups constitute the ‘contemporary Triangle of Evil’.
Turkey and Saudi Arabia have had good ties despite temporary tumult caused in 2013 following the overthrow of Egyptian first democratically elected President Mohamed Morsi known as an Ankara-backed Muslim Brotherhood.
Turkey led by President Erdogan has cleverly and strategically opposed Saudi Arabia in the region after it stepped in the Gulf crisis by sending food stocks and military to Qatar after Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt cut ties and air, sea and ground links with Qatar.
Iran also stepped up its support for Qatar in the crisis.
Both Iran and Turkey have been exchanging military intelligence in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria and in the reduction of fighting in the war-torn country.
