Turkey seeks to mediate over Yemen

Turkey, it seems, is set to reverse its initial cautious support for Operation Decisive Storm and use the situation in Yemen to resurrect the regional mediation role it played before the Arab Spring.

That at least is how it would appear based on remarks made on a recent trip to Tehran by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and reinforced by what journalists who accompanied him on the plane told al-Araby al-Jadeed.

Islam itself is what matters for us, not the Shia or Sunni sect. - Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Erdoğan stressed in his remarks to journalists that Turkey would remain unbiased regarding all parties to the Yemen conflict, and that its policy towards it would be based on the clear rejection of sectarian narratives.

"My main concern is sectarianism. Some people may be Shia, while most of our country may be Sunni, but Islam itself is what matters for us, not the Shia or Sunni sect."

Erdoğan believes Turkey should not jeopardise its relations with Iran by offering support to Decisive Storm. The country is therefore preparing to take a stance that would not damage its interests and would at the same time help restore its role as a mediator, this time between Iran and the Arab states led by Saudi Arabia. Five years ago, Ankara mediated between Iran and the West over the nuclear dispute.

The first indication of a major policy initiative over Yemen came from Erdoğan’s chief foreign policy adviser, Ibrahim Kalin, the day before the President flew to Tehran. "We will continue our efforts to bring all parties together to resolve the Yemen crisis through negotiations and dialogue," said Kalin.

The position was reiterated by the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, who stated: "Turkey is prepared to play an important role in resolving the Yemen crisis by acting as a mediator between the parties to the conflict and bringing their points of view closer."

Çavuşoğlu’s statement came after the sudden visit by the Saudi Interior Minister, Prince Muhammad bin Nayef, to Ankara on the eve of Erdogan’s visit to Tehran, to discuss the possibility of Turkey mediating reconciliation between the warring parties in Yemen.

Erdoğan told journalists that he was aware of the views of both Saudi Arabia and Iran following meetings with their officials. "The process will continue," he said, under the guidance of Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu.

Erdoğan also told journalists during his return from Tehran that he had discussed these issues with Pakistani officials, and that he would discuss them again during a tour to Muslim countries set to include Indonesia and Malaysia and conclude with Saudi Arabia.

Coming very soon after the Pakistani parliament voted against that country's participation in Decisive Storm, some observers see Turkey's shift to neutrality as damaging to the operation. Others point out the necessity for some degree of outside mediation in the Yemeni conflict.