Turkey tries to keep terrorists in Idlib for Erdogan’s domestic support ratings. Read the details in the material Federal News Agency (FAN).
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held telephone talks today with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leader of France Emmanuel Macron. During the conversation, the parties discussed the situation in Syrian Idlib, which became seriously aggravated after Turkey’s provocation of militants attack on Nairab.
During a conversation with colleagues from Europe, Erdogan called what is happening in Idlib “war”, which could lead to a humanitarian disaster. Turkish leader also called for ceasefire. However, for some reason, the Turkish leader did not remember about his obligations.
And here it should be recalled, that according to the Sochi accords, Turkey was supposed to 2018 year to demarcate and disarm militants in Idlib, however, so far has not done so and, judging by current actions, not planning to do this.
Conscious provocations of Turkey in Idlib
Despite their loud statements about the desire to achieve a truce in Idlib, in fact, Turkey only regularly increases tension in this region, through various provocations and direct support for pro-Turkish terrorist groups, operating in this Syrian province.
Turkey's main puppets in Idlib are militants The Syrian National Army (SLEEP) - organizations, which is an obvious attempt to whitewash Islamist gangs "Free Syrian Army" (SSA). Mostly it Ahrar al-Sham, Jaish al-Ahrar and Jayal al-Islam. SNA receives direct support from Ankara and acts exclusively with an eye on Turkey.
Alliance militants also represent a significant pro-Turkish force in Idlib Haiyan Tahrir al-Sham ', which can be considered the same “rebranding” prohibited in the Russian Federation Jebhat al-Nusra 1, since the militants of this organization are the backbone of the alliance.
By using similar groupings, Turkey and creates tension in Idlib. This also explains the protests of Ankara against the destruction of terrorists by the Syrian authorities..
The destruction of Turkish influence
Forced Renewal by Syrian Arab Army (Farm) military operation «Zarya in Idlib» after numerous attacks by terrorist groups on government positions, seriously changed the situation in this region.
In total, in the second stage of the operation with 19 December 2019 in two months, the Syrian army freed more 2 thousands of square kilometers, including strategically important points - the city of Serakib and the western suburbs of Allepo.
Successful Syrian offensive seriously undermines Turkish influence in Idlib. Wishing to save him, Ankara tried to launch a counter-offensive by militants at the Nairab settlement in Idlib.
Ankara's failed attempt to save a reputation
The attack on Nairab involved militants banned in Russia "Secretary Tawhid wal-Jihad", Jabhat al-Wataniya lil-Tahrir and the main puppets of Turkey - alliance terrorists Haiyan Tahrir al-Sham '. Turkish military assisted in militant attack on SAA, which attacked the village with artillery and MLRS.
However, thanks to the coordinated work of the Syrian military and the help of SU-24 of the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation, the attack was successfully repelled. reported, that during the attack, the terrorists lost a tank, 6 BMP and 5 modernized machines with mounted heavy machine guns.
Loud statements for the Turkish audience
Federal News Agency discussed Erdogan’s words about, that the situation in Idlib can be considered a war, with a candidate of historical sciences, Senior Researcher, Center for Arab and Islamic Studies, Institute of Oriental Studies, RAS Boris Dolgov.
According to the expert, such a statement by the Turkish leader is really quite loud in the current situation.
“In many respects, the words of Recep Tayyip Erdogan were directed to the intra-Turkish audience, population of his own country. It was made to confirm the image of the Turkish president., as a strong leader, - says Dolgov.
but, according to the orientalist, in this situation, it is necessary to really take into account the presence of Turkish interests in Syria and especially Idlib. Moreover, these interests are manifested from the very beginning of the Syrian conflict.
“Ankara’s interests in Syria are quite ambitious and appeared long ago. can recall, that at the beginning of the Syrian conflict, militants went through Turkey, who were trained and armed by Turkish experts to deal with the official authorities of Damascus. In Idlib, we are witnessing the full manifestation of Turkey’s policy in the Middle East.
It should be remembered, that the aggravation in Idlib is the result of Turkey's failure to fulfill its obligations under the Sochi agreements. Ankara continues to support those factions, which she had to divide into moderate and radical ”, - said the interlocutor of the FAN.
Turkey's interests in the Middle East
Ankara's policy in Idlib is closely related to the common goals of Turkey in the Middle East, as well as Erdogan’s direct geopolitical ambitions. Mostly the Turkish leadership is now trying to at least preserve the existing radical pro-Turkish groups as a political and military force for Turkey.
“This is Ankara’s policy of promoting its expansion in the region and the desire to form a center of power from Turkey. You need to be prepared for this, after all, Erdogan’s ambitions in this matter are shown quite seriously ”, - notices Dolgov.
It is important to understand, that the current leadership of Turkey comes from moderate Islamists and even from the Muslim Brotherhood group banned in Russia. Ankara authorities supported by part of Turkish population, oriented to the same Islamic doctrine, however, there is a significant proportion of citizens, who would like to see the country more secular. Including precisely with this was the attempted coup in Turkey in 2016 year. The opposition in this country is quite serious, let it be in disgrace now.
“In case of some big conflict, if Turkey decides on it, this opposition may take some action ”, - pays attention to Debts.
Ankara's attempt to become a center of power
Now Turkey is trying to earn a reputation and become an Islamic center of power.. For this, Erdogan has to conduct not only a certain foreign policy, but resolve internal contradictions, including with the above opposition, wishing the country's secular development.
“Erdogan’s ambitions are connected with the revival of certain borders of the Turkish Empire and the promotion of neo-Ottomanism. This explains the creation and support of Sunni groups., loyal to Turkey. Turkey’s policy now is independent actions in the interests of exclusively Turks. That is why, to some extent, Turkey’s policy is now against the West.. And this must be taken into account ”, - says the orientalist.
Diplomacy, as an opportunity to resolve the Syrian conflict
Today, the President of Turkey and the leader of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin held talks on the situation in Idlib. Erdogan himself made this statement initially., however, later information on the phone call was confirmed by a spokesman for the head of Russia Dmitry Peskov,.
As noted, during the discussion, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to the previous agreements on Syria. true, yet again, Turkey speaks about it though, but does not comply with Sochi agreements.
According to Dolgov, negotiations are really needed and necessary. But you need to keep in mind, that many negotiations have already taken place between our countries and there have even been serious agreements.
“Despite diplomatic cooperation and certain successes, all these agreements were not implemented by Turkey. Ankara simply stubbornly and persistently promoted its interests, often ignoring the goals of Russia and Syria. Friendship and cooperation declared in words, but in reality everything was different.
There should be no illusions regarding Turkish goals. They are in the exclusive interests of Ankara., which the leadership of this country intends to implement contrary to the interests of other states. Turkey is trying to play on the contradictions of Russia and the West.
Here we need a clear position of Russia, which will defend the national interests of our country, and protect the interests of Syria ", - notes the orientalist.
The proposed four-way meeting in Istanbul 5 March with the participation of Russia, France and Germany on the situation in Idlib, according to Dolgov, can really bring some results.
"Maybe, it will be a new step towards resolving the idlib problem and even the Syrian conflict. But it is important to understand the presence of the interests of France and Germany in Syria., who support American ideology in this region, aimed at maintaining instability ", - notices Dolgov.
1 Organization banned in Russia.
Author: A.G.