In June 2013, hundreds of thousands of people in Turkey held anti-government demonstrations, so-called Gezi protests, that challenged the government. Erdogan held parallel demonstrations in a show of force and called his supporters "silent majority."
A month later, millions of Egyptians filled squares and streets to demand the resignation of former Egyptian president Mohammad Morsi. Erdogan's spy chief, Hakan Fidan, told Morsi to hold parallel demonstrations and show them that you're still popular.
"No matter what happens," Fidan told Morsi, "don't give up." He told Morsi that Turkey experienced a similar upheaval and parallel demonstrations helped Erdogan curb Gezi protests. Muslim Brotherhood agreed and stayed on streets until they were dispersed through bloodbath.
Yesterday, Turkey decided to support the Iranian regime. Turkish officials made statements sympathetic of the regime, and described the unrest as the work of foreigners.
Erdogan talked to Rouhani on the phone and endorsed his statement on the demonstrations. Today, Iran held parallel pro-government rallies in several cities to counter the anti-regime protesters.
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