Frankly, I'm still a bit flummoxed at the suggestions that the move into Afrin was an entirely unexpected move.Turkish FM Cavusoglu says..........Afrin to Be Handed Over to It’s Real Owners
Turkish foreign minister on Friday said the Afrin region in Syria would be handed over to Syrians once it was cleared from terrorists through Operation Olive Branch."After clearing them [terrorists], we will hand the region over to its real owners; namely, we will hand it over to Syrians," Mevlut Cavusoglu said at an event in southern Antalya.Cavusoglu also slammed the U.S. over its “double-faced” actions, providing arms to PYD/PKK terrorists and expressing concern for civilians as well as the length of the operation."Do not be double-faced, be honest," Cavusoglu said.He added that it is not possible to find a political solution with terrorist groups."From wherever terror threat comes, from Afrin [Syria], Sinjar [Iraq], Qandil [Iraq], Manbij [Syria] or Euphrates River's east, we will intervene and destroy it," the foreign minister said.
Turkish FM Cavusoglu says......Turkish Forces Have No Intention of Attacking Syrian Troops
Preservation of the territorial integrity of Syria is the common goal of Ankara and Damascus and the Turkish troops are not going to attack government forces in Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said."Once they (the Syrian Armed Forces) shot down our aircraft and we responded. While they do not attack us, we do not need to consider them as our target. Up to this day, we have not taken such actions, Cavusoglu told reporters.Damascus knows that the YPG militias (People's Protection Units) want to divide Syria. Whereas Turkey and Damascus as well as the opposition forces all support the territorial integrity of Syria within its current borders. We believe that the Syrian regime will not cooperate with terrorists," he added.
How about a possible Syrian/Turkish Reconciliation Council?
According to the politician, right after its creation the new institution should deal with the improvement of ties with the Syrian parliament."First, we need to reconcile Syrian and Turkish parliamentarians, and then all other politicians, in order to end the war in Syria and preserve its integrity. When the committee is formed and starts its work, then together [with the Syrians] we will become the largest force in the region. Working together, Turkey and Syria will be able to eliminate terrorism in the region and restore confidence in bilateral relations," the politician said."We understand that because of the developments over the past 6 years, it is difficult to return to the level of relations that we had earlier. But if the committee's work is successful and the reconciliation process begins, then we will be able to establish fraternal relations, eliminate differences and jointly counter terrorism," Topal concluded.
Turkish/US Relations Won’t Improve Until the US Drops the Greater Kurdistan Project
"No one apart from the US itself is exacerbating tensions in Turkish-US relations," the academic noted. "Washington simply needs to learn to look itself in the mirror. Relations between Turkey and the US are being spoiled not by Russia, but by America's own absurd policy, and first and foremost, by its project for the creation of a 'Greater Kurdistan'."
Remember when everyone else, was reporting the end of the greater Kurdistan Project? Which inspired me two write two lengthy posts on just how wrong that claim was?
Flashback: Pt.1: Reports of Kurdistan's Death are Greatly Exaggerated: Intra Kurdish Conflict
Flashback: Pt.2: Reports of Kurdistan's Death are Greatly Exaggerated: All Eggs Not Exclusive to Barzani
"That all said reports of the death of Greater/Independent/Israel 2.0 Kurdistan are greatly exaggerated. To believe that what occurred in Kirkuk signals the end of Kurdistan/Greater/Independent, also known as Israel 2.0, is choosing to ignore the complexity of the Kurdish reality. While turning a blind eye the very obvious fact that the US and Israel would have very sensibly UTILIZED Kurds affiliated with the PKK. The KDP. The PUK. And other Kurdish militia/ war lord militants. For the simple reason that the US/Israeli string pullers & others of their kind: planners/strategists who game (a procedure or strategy for gaining an end) these situations would be expected to play multiple angles and employ numerous tactics using a variety of players. Understanding these basic concepts is the reason, entirely, for my writing these posts employing the headlines stating reports of Kurdistan's death are greatly exaggerated!"