Erdoğan’s trip to 3 Arab countries; What is Ankara looking for in the Persian Gulf?
Last week, the President of Turkey visited three Arab countries located along the Persian Gulf. The purpose of the trip was to increase trade and investment between these countries and Turkey. During the visit, Turkey and Saudi Arabia agreed to purchase Akinji drones. This agreement follows a previous sale of Turkish drones to Kuwait, which was aimed at monitoring borders and conducting strike operations. This military agreement deepens Turkey’s military presence in Kuwait, making it an important partner in the Persian Gulf.
Military relations between Turkey and Kuwait have increased since the blockade of Qatar by Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In 2019, the Kuwaiti-Turkish military committee concluded an agreement titled “Defense Cooperation Action Plan”, which angered Saudi Arabia. The Turks have also promised to deploy electronic warfare systems based on NATO standards in Kuwait. NATO’s military and strategic cooperation with the countries of the Persian Gulf began two decades ago with the Istanbul Initiative (ICI). Turkey’s presence in the region is part of this agreement, and its responsibility in the region is within the framework of NATO strategies.
Kuwait has a history of relying on the military presence of the United States to ensure its security. However, with the reduction of the US military presence in the Persian Gulf under the Obama administration, Kuwait and other small countries in the region have decided to invite other actors to be present in the Persian Gulf.
