Erdogan says he does not believe Hamas leadership will leave Qatar

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Apr 2024 15:15

The Turkish President says he had not received any signals from Qatari leadership indicating a desire for Hamas to leave the country.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a joint statement to the media in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, April 22, 2024. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye /Pool Photo via AP)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pointed out on Tuesday that he does not believe the Palestinian Resistance group Hamas will depart from Qatar, where it is currently based.

Returning from his first trip to Iraq since 2011, Erdogan indicated that he had not received any signals from Qatari leadership indicating a desire for Hamas to leave the country.

"The sincerity they [Qatar] have toward them [Hamas], their stance toward them, has always been like a member of the family," he mentioned.

"In the coming period, I absolutely do not think it is possible for them to change this approach," he added.

During the weekend, the Turkish President, who has referred to Hamas as a "liberation movement", held a meeting with the head of the movement's political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh.

"What is important is not where Hamas' leaders are, but the situation in Gaza," he said Tuesday, according to his office.

Erdogan accused "Israel" of committing "unprecedented massacres" and "moving to destroy Gaza." He also warned that a complete Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip could pave the way for further invasions of Palestinian territories.

Similarly, Qatar said on Tuesday that Hamas' political leadership would stay in Doha as long as their presence remained beneficial to mediation efforts aimed at ending the war on Gaza.

"As long as their presence here in Doha, as we have always said, is useful and positive in this mediation effort, they will remain here," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed al-Ansari told a press conference, adding that Qatar continued to reassess its role as mediator.

Turkey, Iraq ties entering new phase

In a separate context, Erdogan expressed his belief that Iraq recognizes the necessity of eliminating the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and possesses the will to do so, stressing that Ankara seeks Baghdad's support in this fight.

According to the Turkish leader, relations between Turkey and Iraq are entering a new phase after they agreed to collaborate against militants, enhance economic ties through a new corridor, and address Iraq's water access needs.

He told reporters that Turkey's fight against terrorism would continue in compliance with international law, expressing hope to witness tangible outcomes following Baghdad's designation of the PKK as a "banned organization" last month.

On Monday, Iraq and Turkey signed a strategic framework agreement covering security, trade, and energy, as well as a 10-year deal on managing water resources, taking Iraq's needs into consideration.