After more than a decade of strained relations, Turkey has entered into a substantial arms deal, indicating a thaw in its diplomatic relations with Egypt.
The relationship between Turkey and Egypt has been marked by mutual distrust and open enmity for the past ten years. This animosity largely stems from the aftermath of the 2013 coup led by Egyptian Commander-in-Chief Abdelfattah al-Sisi, which ousted the Muslim Brotherhood and installed al-Sisi as the new ruler.
Image - Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President Of Turkey, Credit - Shuttershock
The coup, which resulted in the deaths of numerous Brotherhood members, triggered a strong response from Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, then Prime Minister of Turkey, who openly supported the deposed President Mohammed Morsi. Erdoğan condemned al-Sisi as a murderer and a disgrace to Islam, branding Egypt as "evil," while Egypt accused Turkey of providing a refuge for Islamists.
A Shift in Direction
Turkey has officially altered its course on this matter. According to Reuters, Turkey is set to provide Egypt with in-demand drones, indicating a shift towards normalizing relations between the two nations.
"The normalization of our relations is crucial for Egypt to access certain technologies. We have an agreement to provide aerial vehicles and other technologies," stated Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, confirming the initiation of arms deliveries to Egypt.
A Move Towards Reconciliation
This announcement signifies a significant step towards reconciliation between two former adversaries. The initial strides in this direction were taken last summer when the countries restored diplomatic ties for the first time since 2013.
"This reflects the mutual desire to improve bilateral relations in the interest of the Turkish and Egyptian people," declared the countries in a statement reported by Al-Jazeera.
Economic Challenges
The change in Turkey's stance is partly attributed to the country's dire economic situation, with inflation rates at times surpassing 60 percent.
Widespread dissatisfaction with the economic conditions has exerted immense pressure on the Turkish government to stabilize the economy. Entering into new collaborations with Egypt is seen as a potential means to address the economic downturn.
In-Demand Drones
According to Hakan Fidan, Turkish leaders will also engage in discussions with al-Sisi on bilateral and regional issues related to trade, energy, and security.
The sought-after Turkish drones, slated for delivery, have gained international popularity following their successful deployment in Syria, Libya, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine, as reported by Reuters. This shift not only indicates a warming of relations between Turkey and Egypt but also underscores Turkey's strategic reorientation in response to economic pressures and evolving geopolitical dynamics.
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