Turkish criticism over the Saudi decision to demolish Ottoman castle

The Turkish minister of culture Stimehan Talai said that Turkey will submit a complaint to UNESCO against the Saudi decision to demolish " Ajyad" castle of the Ottoman era which overlooks the al-Haram Mosque in Mecca. The Turkish minister described this Saudi situation as " barbaric."

He resembled, in a statement to this effect, the decision to demolish the Ottoman castle to the decision taken by Taliban according to which Buddha sculptures were destroyed.

For his part, senior advisor at the Turkish cabinet Ahmad Aleb said in a statement to the Turkish press issued on Tuesday that the Turkish government will follow up similar measures carried out by Saudi Arabia to demolish Ottoman- Turkish buildings in the Balkan states, considering that as in contradiction to the principles of friendship with Saudi Arabia and to UNESCO resolutions and principles.