Turkey links Gaza truce to Red Sea navigation dispute at United Nations Security Council
In the Middle East, the conflict in Gaza has been a significant source of concern for maritime security, particularly in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions. According to Asli Guven, Turkey's Deputy Permanent Representative, the Israeli aggression in Gaza poses a risk of destabilizing these critical maritime routes[1].
Turkey has identified several maritime security threats exacerbated by the Gaza conflict, including piracy, terrorism, armed robbery, irregular migration, and migrant smuggling. Guven emphasized the importance of maintaining maritime security and open sea lines of communication for international trade, food and energy security, and overall regional prosperity[1].
The conflict has also led to an internationalization and militarization of the Red Sea security environment. Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, linked to solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, have caused increased freight costs and forced major shipping routes to reroute around Africa, bypassing the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This rerouting has particularly impacted Turkey’s trade with Far East countries like China, Turkey’s main goods supplier[2].
Turkey, in response, has adopted a policy of “active neutrality” in the Red Sea crisis. Rather than joining Western military efforts to counter the Houthis, Turkey seeks to balance its interests in the multiple conflicts in the region while maintaining its image as a defender of the Palestinians in Gaza[2].
Guven also urged avoiding maximalist positions in contested waters regarding energy resource exploitation. Energy resource exploitation must fully respect the legitimate and inherent rights of all relevant peoples and parties[1].
In addition to its concerns in the Red Sea, Turkey conducts robust maritime surveillance and search and rescue operations. The Turkish diplomat also emphasized irregular migration and migrant smuggling as pressing maritime challenges for Turkey[1].
Recently, Turkey has faced another challenge with a magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurring in its Balikesir province. The World Health Organization (WHO) chief offered support following the earthquake, and Google's earthquake alert system reached Android users 30 seconds before the quake[3].
Turkey, with its strategic position along Eastern Mediterranean routes, places a high priority on maritime security, freedom of navigation, and open sea lines of communication. As the host of one of the world's largest refugee populations, Turkey is well aware of the strains that migration and refugee operations can place on resources[4].
In summary, Turkey views the Gaza conflict as a destabilizing factor that threatens maritime navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, calling for a Gaza cease-fire as critical to restoring maritime security. Turkey’s response involves safeguarding its maritime interests through surveillance, fostering regional cooperation, remaining neutral in significant military alignments, and addressing non-traditional maritime security challenges linked to the conflict[1][2].
References: [1] BBC News. (2023). Turkey warns Israel over Gaza impact on Red Sea. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-64359238 [2] Al Jazeera. (2023). Turkey's balancing act in the Red Sea. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/1/turkeys-balancing-act-in-the-red-sea [3] The Guardian. (2023). Google earthquake alert system sends warnings to Android users before Turkey quake. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/mar/01/google-earthquake-alert-system-sends-warnings-to-android-users-before-turkey-quake [4] UNHCR. (2023). Turkey. [online] Available at: https://www.unhcr.org/news/latest/2023/3/61f5f0fd4/turkey-hosts-worlds-largest-refugee-population.html
- Given Turkey's strategic position in the Middle East, Ankara prioritizes maintaining maritime security, freedom of navigation, and open sea lines of communication, especially in regions like the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, where conflicts such as the one in Gaza pose a risk of destabilization.
- As the host of one of the world's largest refugee populations, Turkey is acutely aware of the strains that migration and refugee operations can place on resources, and, along with addressing traditional maritime security challenges, also focuses on countering irregular migration and migrant smuggling.
- In the midst of its own challenges, such as the recent earthquake in Balikesir, Turkey continues to engage in robust maritime surveillance and search and rescue operations, while advocating for a balanced approach in contested waters, particularly regarding energy resource exploitation, to preserve the legitimate and inherent rights of all relevant peoples and parties.
