Relations between Saudi Arabia and Turkey took a turn for the worse following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last year. Tensions initially grew when Ankara backed Qatar during the 2017 diplomatic crisis and strained further amid Turkey’s diplomatic angling towards Iran. The explosive new report reveals that Saudi Arabian officials are now plotting to confront the Turkish government in a bid to get rid of Erdogan.
It was written by the Emirates Policy Centre, a think tank with close links to the government.
A copy obtained by the Middle East Eye reveals an order given in May to implement a plan to weaken the Turkish government.
It suggested using “all possible tools to pressure Erdogan’s government, weaken him, and keep him busy with domestic issues in the hope that he will be brought down by the opposition, or occupy him with confronting crisis after crisis, and push him to slip up and make mistakes which the media would surely pick up on.”
This is believed to be because of the Turkish leader’s response to Mr Khashoggi’s killing.
Erdogan was furious that the attack took place on home soil and demanded an international inquiry into the incident.
He was also frustrated at the lack of cooperation on Saudi Arabia’s part and accused Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of ordering the murder.
The report states: “President Erdogan went too far in his campaign smearing the kingdom, especially the person of the Crown Prince, using in the most reprehensible manner the case of Khashoggi.”
It also said that Erodgan leaked “disinformation” aimed at “distorting the image of the kingdom and attempting to destroy the reputation of the Crown Prince”.
READ MORE: Khashoggi shock claim: Saudi Arabia ‘plotted to kill journalist on British soil’
Mr Wilson adds: “The GCHQ intercepts of the rendition left little to the imagination that force would be used against Jamal by the Saudis.
“In Riyadh, the Saudis were actively looking for a suitable foreign location to deploy their rendition team against Jamal.”
The journalist was set to speak at a PLO (Palestine Liberation Organisation) conference on September 29, 2018, a year after his self-exile from Saudi Arabia.
According to Mr Wilson, British intelligence’s warnings against the attack made sure it did not happen on domestic soil – so agents targeted Mr Khashoggi in Turkey, instead.
The report also suggests that on a geopolitical level, Saudi Arabia sees Turkey as a regional rival.
Ankara has started to exert influence in the region – whether it be involvement in Syria or Cyprus – much to Riyadh’s dismay.
The report says: “The kingdom would start to target the Turkish economy and press towards the gradual termination of Saudi investment in Turkey, the gradual decrease of Saudi tourists visiting Turkey while creating alternative destinations for them, decreasing Saudi import of Turkish goods, and most importantly minimising Turkish regional role in Islamic matters.”
It comes amid growing tensions between Turkey and one of Saudi Arabia’s closest allies – the US.
The sale of S-400 missiles from Moscow to Ankara has caused great concern amongst Washington officials, while the two are also locked in a diplomatic battle over the Syrian Civil War.