A New Middle East Power Struggle Is Taking Shape in the Red Sea
Israel’s security establishment, in a panic of its own design, is referring to the Turkish-led defense bloc forming around Saudi Arabia as a “Sunni ring of fire,” the successor to the Shiite ring Iran built from Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iraqi militias. The bloc’s founding document is the Mecca pact, signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, with Turkey’s parliament set to ratify this week,…
A new power struggle is emerging in the Red Sea between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, creating a "Sunni ring of fire" that could rival Iran's existing Shiite alliance. The Mecca pact, signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, aims to protect Saudi oil infrastructure from Houthi missiles and drones. However, Israel views this bloc as a threat and has pressured the United States to consider Turkey an enemy.
The Red Sea now serves as Saudi Arabia's outlet for oil through Yemen's Hormuz, while Turkey and Egypt vie for control of the Gulf of Aden. The UAE, excluded from the pact, built a military facility in Somaliland and Israel recognized Somaliland, leading to Turkish deployment of F-16s and warships. Egypt is also increasing its presence in Somalia.
Oil is a crucial factor in this conflict, with Turkey launching its first overseas deepwater well 372 kilometers off Mogadishu.
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