Erdogan against the Muslim Brotherhood: The Egyptian channel "Kammalin", which serves as the flagship station of the Islamist movement - which serves as the opposition in Egypt, announced today (Saturday) that it will stop broadcasting and evacuate its headquarters from Turkey in light of "circumstances hidden from anyone".
The announcement comes against the backdrop of the Turkish president's visit to Saudi Arabia.
On Thursday, Erdogan landed in Riyadh and later met with King Salman and Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman.
This is after a severance in relations since the affair of the assassination of the Saudi journalist at the consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.
Diplomatic sources told Al-Arabi Al-Jadid newspaper in the past that Egypt had demanded from Turkey, as part of talks to normalize relations between the two countries, the closure of all Egyptian opposition channels operating in its territory.
It was also reported that in Cairo they expressed concern that the channels would become Ankara's percussion instrument in the event that relations deteriorated again.
It is now estimated that Erdogan has decided to agree, at least in part, to Egypt's request.
"The management of the 'Makhmlin' channel has decided to relocate its broadcasts, studios and all its activities outside Turkey for the purpose of relaunching its work from all over the world," the channel's official Twitter page said in a statement.
"For the past eight years, the Makhmalin channel has been a voice of truth and a platform for all our beloved people. We were with you at important events that Egypt and the Arab region went through to convey the picture as a whole, to spread the values of justice and liberty and to be a voice for the oppressed," the channel said.
The deterioration of relations with Egypt began against the background of the removal of the Muslim Brotherhood from power in a military coup in 2013.
Erdogan, who heads the Justice and Development Party, which is affiliated with the Islamist movement's subordinate, has granted refuge to members of the movement.
Since the army returned to the forefront of power in Cairo, Muslim Brotherhood leaders have been persecuted, members of the movement have been arrested en masse and its leaders sentenced to life in prison.
However, it is too early to announce a severance between Erdogan and the Muslim Brotherhood.
Erdogan's smile on Arab countries, in addition to getting closer to Israel, comes against the backdrop of the economic crisis in Turkey.
In case the economy balances and Erdogan successfully passes the June 2023 elections, we may again see a change of direction in Ankara.
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
If you found an error in the article, we'll be happy for you to share it with us