It is impossible to understand Turkey

Seyhan Avşar

POLITICIAN ABDÜLLATİF ŞENER: I believe that in spite of everything Syria will maintain its territorial integrity. As to Turkey’s stance, I am amazed and saddened by it. I am saddened not just by Turkey’s, but by Islamic societies’ stances, too. The day before yesterday was the Night of Ascent. Imperialist countries were bombing a Muslim country on such a night. Unfortunately, in the announcement made by Turkey, satisfaction is felt at this attack. In the Prime Minister’s statement, in turn, they say that they were late. This statement is in fact most wrong. On the days when the events in Syria first broke out, the talk was, “Oh America, why are you not striking Syria?” The Foreign Minister was forever being sent to meetings abroad and there was an attempt to persuade other countries that the US should strike Syria. This is a very painful situation for the Islamic world.

JOURNALIST HÜSNÜ MAHALLİ: I have seen many wars but have not seen another war that is so stupid and nonsensical. America has been talking of striking Syria for a week. They strike certain points with missiles and flee. What are you up to? Is this theatre? If you are serious, you should declare war. Bombing five airbases that have been emptied only measures up to Donald Trump’s intelligence. It is most interesting for this strike to have been staged before the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons had conducted investigations in Syria. Let the delegation investigate. Let them go and investigate if weapons were used or not. The US knows that nothing will emerge from the investigation. They were spreading claims for days of a nuclear strike. So, we ended up in disgrace and they said, “Let’s strike.” They struck Syria. The Foreign Ministry made a statement, “We welcome this operation which has eased humanity’s conscience.” We have difficulty understanding why Turkey made such a statement. Since when has an imperialist attack eased humanity’s conscience? Turkey will soon see that this attack will turn against it. The ministry cannot issue such a statement when there is an attack against Turkey, either. Turkey is trying to wink at the West with this statement.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR. HAKAN GÜNEŞ: This strike that the US staged prior to the investigation into the use of chemical weapons both speaks volumes and is one way of seriously violating international law. Currently, the three leaders in consort, on being asked to justify that chemical weapons were used and also that the Syrian regime used them, have based this justification on their own intelligence sources. I mean, previously unilateral operations had been conducted. In these operations at least some tangible situation was in existence. This is the first time such a situation has been encountered. They act saying, “Our intelligence says so.” If it goes on like this, various countries may claim that certain attacks have been staged on them citing their own intelligence organisations. What this augurs is highly problematic. This situation will also call the legitimacy of operations into question. Embarking on such an operation without awaiting the UN resolution and without awaiting the relevant international reports calls the legitimacy of the operation into question.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR.ERHAN KELEŞOĞLU: A limited strike was carried out in which France and the UK were involved. This shows that the US, France and the UK are worried about the conflict escalating and have focussed on the Syrian regime. A special effort was expended for the operation to remain limited. By means of the operation, the message was given to Russia and Iran that there would be no refrain from the use of force if called for. Turkey, conversely, is playing a balancing game between Russia and Iran. It is a country that is maintaining its presence in the field especially under the Euphrates Shield and Afrin operations. It wants to maintain its presence resting on this balancing game.

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