Turkey has accused the United Arab Emirates of spreading divisive propaganda after its foreign minister retweeted a post denouncing Turks "ancestors" for their treatment of Arabs during the Ottoman Empire.
Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE foreign minister, had shared on Twitter a post that accused Fahreddin Pasha - an Ottoman governor of Medina from 1916-1919 - of committing crimes against the local population, including stealing their property.
During World War I was ongoing with the Ottoman Empire siding with the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Germany, several Arab tribes led by Sharif Hussein ibn Ali of Mecca and backed by the British revolted against Ottoman rule in which British spy Thomas Edward Lawrence played a major role. However, a significant number of Arab tribes did not join the revolt and continued supporting the Ottomans against the British-led Allied troops advancing in Palestine and Iraq. In addition, the Ottomans conscripted thousands of Arabs to fight in their ranks.
To avoid the destruction of holy relics, Fahreddin Pasha organized a train guarded by 2,000 men and transferred them to Istanbul. They are being displayed in the Sacred Relics section of the Topkapı Palace Museum.
Despite hit-and-run attacks by poorly organized Arab troops, which caused heavy casualties on both sides and disrupted transportation, Ottoman troops largely managed to hold their positions in Hejaz.
However, the situation became hopeless when the front in Gaza collapsed under British attacks from Egypt's Sinai in late 1917, while Arab forces managed to cut Ottoman territories two months earlier in July through a raid on Aqaba. The garrison in Medina led by Fahreddin Pasha withstood the attacks and siege conditions until Jan. 10, 1919, continuing their resistance even after the Armistice of Mudros was signed between the Ottomans and Allied powers on Oct. 30, 1918.
For his role, Fahreddin Pasha is generally regarded highly in Turkey, honored with nicknames such as "Hero of Medina" and "Defender of Medina."
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been accused of supporting plots in Turkey against the Turkish government as well as Ankara's role in the broader region.
The two countries also do not share the same view on the recent crisis in Qatar. Turkey has voiced its support for Qatar as some regional countries, including the UAE, imposed sanctions on the country, claiming that it was ignoring terrorist activities. Ankara has been at the forefront of providing aid to Qatar to meet the basic needs of the people. Turkey also wants to enhance military ties with the country, conducting joint military exercises at its base in Doha.
It will not be irrational to suggest that UAE is backed by Saudi Arabia when confronting to Turkey especially considering Saudi Arabia. The real competition between Turkey and Saudi Arabia arises due to the leadership of Muslim States.
