More Countries Back Saudi Arabia In Iran Dispute

Qatar has become the latest country to back Saudi Arabia in its dispute with Iran, recalling its ambassador to Tehran on Wednesday in response to the attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions last weekend. Jordan, Djibouti, and Turkey also expressed pro-Saudi positions on Wednesday after the embassy attacks in Iran that followed the execution of a renowned Shia leader in Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said the execution of 47 men for terrorism charges in Saudi Arabia was “a domestic issue”. One of those put to death was Shia Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr – a move that stirred sectarian anger across the region.

“Forty-six of those who were executed are Sunni and they are executed because they are affiliated with al-Qaeda. One of them was a Shia religious leader. This decision was previously taken and Saudi Arabia implemented it. This is their decision,” Erdogan said in a speech in the capital Ankara.

The president also said those who remained silent about the deaths of people in Syria’s civil war were causing an uproar over the execution of one person in Saudi Arabia, apparently referring to Iran though he did not name names.
Aljazeera.