Tensions between Syria and Turkey are mounting, in yet another development involving Islamic conflict and division that involve violence.
According to Bashar al-Assad, “Terrorism in Syria is made in Turkey.”
Such conflicts often end up a problem for the West. Turkey has also been busy attacking the Syrian Kurds, who were strong partners of the U.S. and allied forces in the battle against the Islamic State. Even worse, according to Foreign Policy magazine, foreign fighters of ISIS “from around the globe first traveled to Turkey and then on to Iraq and Syria.” Europe’s demographics shifted over Islamic State jihadists who were causing upheaval in Syria and Iraq: while the Islamic world shares a hatred for Western values, when Muslim-on-Muslim crises arise, the West flings its doors open in a big welcome for refugees, economic migrants, and illegals. Assimilation, meanwhile, doesn’t happen.
Russia and Iran are allies of Assad and have his respect. They refuse to accept Syrian refugees.
“Assad blames Erdogan for violence in Syria and insists on a pullout of Turkish troops,” by Bassem Mroue and Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press, August 9, 2023:
BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad slammed Turkey in comments published Wednesday, blaming Ankara for the uptick in violence in his war-torn country and insisting on the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syria.
Assad spoke in an interview with Sky News Arabia, his first interview with a foreign media outlet in months. The interview will be fully aired later Wednesday, but Sky News Arabia released some excerpts before the broadcast.
Turkey is a main backer of armed opposition fighters who have been trying to remove Assad from power and has carried out three major incursions into northern Syria since 2016. Turkish forces control parts of northern Syria.
Assad, who is backed by Russia and Iran, has managed over the past few years to retake most of the territory with the help of his allies, and turn the tide of war in his favor. Syrian rebels and Turkey-backed opposition forces now only hold a small northwestern corner of Syria, where fighting and violence have persisted.
“Terrorism in Syria is made in Turkey,” Assad said.
He also denied rumors of an upcoming meeting between him and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, despite meetings between Turkey and Syria’s defense and foreign ministers under Russian and Iranian mediation to restore strained ties.
Damascus maintains that Ankara must put forward a timetable for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Syria in order to normalize relations. In May, the ministers agreed to set up a “road map” to improve relations.
“Erdogan’s objective in meeting me is to legitimize the Turkish occupation in Syria,” Assad said in Wednesday’s interview. “Why should I and Erdogan meet? To have soft drinks?”…
ElderlyZionist says
“Erdogan’s objective in meeting me is to legitimize the Turkish occupation in Syria,” Assad said in Wednesday’s interview. “Why should I and Erdogan meet? To have soft drinks?”
A-yep. Under Erdogan, Turkish troops have occupied large swaths of Syrian and Iraqi Kurdistan. Erdogan intends to re-establish a Turkish empire in the Levant and Eastern Mediterranean. He will not withdraw from Cyprus, or anywhere else unless forced to, and who will force him?
GreekEmpress says
+1
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Oh dear! I’m guessing that Vlad is finding out how much Erdogan can be trusted! Only thing I’m wondering: all those Chechens & Tatars who’re happily sending their soldiers into Ukraine – how many of them have an extra-territorial loyalty to Turkey?
somehistory says
Should the us follow suit and tell the mozlums from turkey to leave the us? As assad rightly says, “terrorism…is made in turkey.”
GreekEmpress says
+1
mick says
Erdogan’s 22 dams on the Tigris and Euphrates have created a dust bowl in Syria and Iraq, while flooding Kurdish villages in Turkey.
I assume unless otherwise informed, this is now the main driver of Syrian and Iraqi instability / exodus.