Turkey threatens to cut ties with UAE over Israel normalization as feud continues

Also on Friday, the United Arab Emirates along with Bahrain condemned Turkey’s attacks on Kurdish groups in Iraq. Turkey routinely strikes Kurdistan Workers Party targets in the country.

“The two ministers affirmed the positions of their countries in support of the security and sovereignty of Iraq, condemning the Turkish attacks, and the need to immediately stop any Turkish military operations on Iraqi lands,” read a press release from Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Turkey and the UAE have had wars of words before. The UAE is an ally of Saudi Arabia, while Turkey is close to Qatar. Saudi and the UAE have been in a diplomatic conflict with Qatar since 2017. Turkey supports the UN-recognized Government of National Accord in Libya, while the UAE backs the eastern-based Libyan National Army.

The Emirates also condemned Turkey’s military actions in Iraq in June.

In May, the UAE joined Egypt, France, Cyprus and Greece in condemning Turkey’s energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey called the countries an “alliance of evil” in response.

Iran, a staunch enemy of Israel, also criticized the Emirates’ decision to normalize ties. Oman, rumored to be next to establish ties with Israel, voiced support for Abu Dhabi’s move.