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Riyadh, Ankara send a message

Iran is another common factor in their bilateral relations, as both Riyadh and Ankara want to limit the hegemony of Tehran.

Saudi Arabia and Turkey are reconciling their differences with the visit of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia to Ankara. Both countries have been at odds since the overthrow of president Mursi's government in Egypt, and had nursed differences over Yemen and regional politics. But Syria is what Saudi Arabia and Turkey brings them together.
Both want to see the exit of President Bashar Al Assad and have mellowed down their differences over Egypt. Iran is another common factor in their bilateral relations, as both Riyadh and Ankara want to limit the hegemony of Tehran. King Salman is in Turkey to attend the Organisation of Islamic Conference summit meeting in Istanbul, and has used the occasion to mend fences with Ankara. The Saudi king was personally welcomed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the airport, which is being termed as a break from protocol. Salman's vision to bring together Muslim countries in a larger fight against terrorism has won him accolades.
The King's trip will melt the frost in ties. It is more than ceremonial. A number of bilateral trade and cooperation agreements will be signed between the two countries. Turkey's current trade volume with Saudi Arabia is to the tune of $9 billion, which could increase in the years to come. The two countries are seen as powers in the region, and this show of unity is to send a signal to their common ideological and military foe - Iran. The US is seen as tilting towards Tehran, and Riyadh, Ankara and Cairo want Tehran to hear loud and clear that they are equipped to deal with the situation with or without Washington's support.