Yeni Şafak Editor-In-Chief İbrahim Karagül
Turkey must push for a solution to the looming offensive in Syria’s Idlib at the Tehran summit to be attended by the leaders of Turkey, Iran and Russia, and if this fails Ankara may launch an “official war” against the Syrian regime, Yeni Şafak Editor-In-Chief İbrahim Karagül told Turkish television channel NTV on Wednesday evening.
“Turkey’s security is connected to Syria’s security. The moment Syria is divided, Turkey’s division will also begin. The Turkey front will be opened. That is why Turkey must find a middle way at the Tehran summit. I think Russia will be understanding of Turkey’s apprehensions,” Karagül said.
Russia, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, resumed air strikes in Idlib on Tuesday following weeks of bombardment and shelling by pro-Syrian government forces in an apparent prelude to a full-scale offensive against the opposition’s last major enclave.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will travel to Iran’s Tehran on Friday to discuss Syria with his Iranian and Russian counterparts.Russia, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, resumed air strikes in Idlib on Tuesday following weeks of bombardment and shelling by pro-Syrian government forces in an apparent prelude to a full-scale offensive against the oppositions' last major enclave.Turkey, which backs the opposition against Assad, has said an offensive on Idlib would be disastrous. Ankara is sheltering 3.5 million Syrian refugees.Russia says summit to help clarify military situation in Syria's IdlibSyrian opposition head calls on world to ‘stop the massacre’ in IdlibAssad regime shells Syria's IdlibErdoğan says Idlib assault would be ‘a grave massacre’UN envoy urges Erdoğan, Putin to discuss Idlib
Erdoğan to visit Iran for Syria summit
The leaders of Russia, Turkey and Iran are due to meet on Friday in Iran and are expected to discuss the situation in northwestern Syria. Turkey, which backs the opposition against Assad, has said an offensive on Idlib would be disastrous. Ankara is sheltering 3.5 million Syrian refugees.
“Turkey is a country that has taken initiative in the region, and has strong ties to the people of Idlib. There are calls from Idlib for Turkey to take over and form a buffer zone,” he added.
Trilateral summit must yield results
“Syrian forces of 25,000 troops are preparing to enter Idlib. Of these, 8,000 are terrorists and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) is among them. Turkey’s only solution is for the Tehran summit to bear results. If this is unsuccessful and an attack on Idlib is launched, as a second option, Turkey must protect its garrisons or defend the people of Idlib. This would mean an official war with the Syrian regime. We hope it doesn’t reach that point,” Karagül said.
“It can be seen that the U.S. is splitting Syria when we look to the east of the Euphrates. It is dividing the map of Syria. Just as the U.S. has ploys in Iraq’s north, it also has plans in Syria’s north,” Karagül said.
Senior Turkish lawmaker Volkan Bozkır on Wednesday received Russian Ambassador to Turkey Alexei Yerkhov and Jeffrey Hovenier, charge d'affaires of the U.S. in Ankara, in separate meetings."We exchanged views on the recent developments in our region. We also discussed the mutually agreed new mechanism to be created, in order to intensify the parliamentary cooperation between our countries," Bozkir, the head of the Turkish parliament's foreign affairs committee, tweeted after meeting Yerkhov.About Friday's trilateral summit between the leaders of Turkey, Russia and Iran on Syria, Bozkir said he is hopeful for the outcomes of the meeting in Tehran."Because, these three countries, which recognize and take responsibility for the region, will take the necessary decisions for the region to let it look to the future with peace," he added.Bozkir said Turkey is in close cooperation with Russia on Syria, adding: "Our desire is distinguishing civilians from militant groups in Idlib and so preventing any civilian loss during any possible operation here."Russia says summit to help clarify military situation in Syria's IdlibRegional developments, ties discussedAfter receving Hovenier, Bozkir tweeted: "We discussed the recent developments in the region and in the bilateral relations between our two countries and possible initiatives to be taken at the parliamentary level to improve relations."About political tensions between Turkey and the U.S., Bozkir said neither Ankara nor Washington have the luxury of having a "hostile" attitude toward each other."I do not think these problems cannot be solved. In the upcoming period, I wish we will take part in world politics as two friendly and allied countries that trust each other," he added.Bozkir said Turkey pays importance to friendship with the U.S., adding: "We will find a solution to the problems through mutual negotiations."Hovenier said he looks forward to working with Bozkir and other leaders of the Turkish government.For Syria's Idlib, which was bombed by Russian warplanes on Tuesday, Hovenier said the U.S. and Turkey have the same concerns.He added U.S. President Donald Trump was "quite clear" about the U.S. position. Trump on Monday warned against Assad regime's possible attacks in Idlib urging Iran and Russia not to make "a grave humanitarian mistake" by taking part in the attacks.Idlib offensive could trigger new wave of migration to Europe, TurkeyKremlin says situation in Syria's Idlib Province of heightened concernSyrian opposition head calls on world to ‘stop the massacre’ in Idlib
Senior Turkish MP receives Russian, US envoys
Turkey, Russia and Iran only hope for Syria
“The Syria matter will not be resolved easily. These three countries [Turkey, Russia and Iran] are the only hope for Syria. The moment these countries get close to ensuring Syria’s territorial integrity, others will interfere and restart the war,” Karagül said.
Russia and Turkey, along with Iran are sponsoring the Astana peace talks, which focuses on a cease-fire and ending the seven-year civil war in Syria.
“Once Idlib is resolved, what will happen in Syria’s east? What is important for Turkey is Syria’s territorial integrity. There is no chance for Assad to remain in control of Syria from now on. After so much destruction, it is impossible for there to be a legitimate Assad administration, but meetings must be held with Damascus. The period of rebuilding Syria via the Astana talks will come to the agenda,” he added.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday denied claims in a forthcoming book that he sought the assassination of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and his top officials after a deadly chemical attack.During a brief photo opportunity with Kuwaiti Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, Trump said the proposal was "never even discussed" after details of Bob Woodward's "Fear: Trump in the White House" were published Tuesday by The Washington Post."That was never even contemplated, nor would it be contemplated and should not have been written about in the book. It's just more fiction," said Trump.Woodward, the longtime Post investigative journalist, reported that following an April 2017 chemical attack blamed on the Syrian regime, Trump called on Defense Secretary James Mattis to come up with plans to kill Assad and his top cadre."Let’s f***ing kill him! Let’s go in. Let’s kill the f***ing lot of them,” Trump said, according to Woodward.New book alleges chaos in Trump White HouseAssad regime shells Syria's IdlibMattis told him he would quickly draw up the plans but then told a senior aide: "We’re not going to do any of that. We’re going to be much more measured."Mattis later issued a statement disputing the book as "a product of someone's rich imagination".Trump has repeatedly lashed out at Woodward's book, which is set to be released next week, suggesting in a series of tweets Wednesday that the U.S. should change its laws to make it easier to sue for libel."Isn’t it a shame that someone can write an article or book, totally make up stories and form a picture of a person that is literally the exact opposite of the fact, and get away with it without retribution or cost," he said. "Don’t know why Washington politicians don’t change libel laws?"Top US general warns against major assault on Syria's IdlibBut the book appears to be corroborated at least in part by an anonymous New York Times op-ed in which the author, who is described as a senior Trump administration official, acknowledges that he or she is part of a group "working diligently from within to frustrate parts of his agenda and his worst inclinations".The author was referring to Trump."We believe our first duty is to this country, and the president continues to act in a manner that is detrimental to the health of our republic," the official wrote. "That is why many Trump appointees have vowed to do what we can to preserve our democratic institutions while thwarting Mr. Trump’s more misguided impulses until he is out of office."The Times kept the official's identity anonymous but said it knows who he or she is.The White House sharply criticized the Op-Ed, saying the author “has chosen to deceive, rather than support”.“He is not putting country first, but putting himself and his ego ahead of the will of the American people. This coward should do the right thing and resign,” spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.Amid a looming offensive on the northwestern Syrian city of Idlib, Trump warned during his meeting with al-Sabah that the regime, Iran and Russia "will hopefully be very, very judicious and careful. Because the world is watching. That cannot be a slaughter"."If it's a slaughter, the world will get very, very angry and the United States will get very angry too," he said.
Trump denies claim he sought Assad's assassination
Astana talks a beacon of hope
In May, Idlib was designated a “de-escalation zone” -- in which acts of aggression are expressly forbidden -- as part of ongoing peace talks in Kazakh capital of Astana.
“I am hopeful of the Astana summit. The Astana talks have sparked great progress in Syria. A de-escalation zone was formed in Idlib. Since the beginning of the Syrian war, Astana has been the first beacon of hope,” Karagül said.
Russian strikes were unexpected
“We weren’t expecting such activities before the Tehran summit. Russia’s attacks have put Turkey in a tough situation. When governments come together, tough situations can be overcome but because everyone has focused on their own interests in Syria, such a situation has arose in Idlib,” Karagül said.
Russian and Syrian jets hammered Idlib on Tuesday, a war monitor said, days before leaders of Russia, Iran and Turkey meet to discuss an expected Syrian government offensive that could spark a humanitarian disaster.
Turkey has conveyed to Russia its condemnation of the recent attack in Syria's Idlib, the Turkish foreign minister said on Wednesday."After the attack, our institutions [Turkish and Russian] contacted each other. We told them that this is wrong," Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said, speaking at a joint news conference with his German counterpart Heiko Maas.Çavuşoğlu said the attacks are aimed at "capturing Idlib", which he said, "carries a serious risk" and "would be disastrous from many angles". Russian warplanes on Tuesday pounded civilian and opposition targets in Idlib.Turkey follows generous policy for Syrians: Dutch min.Located near the Turkish border, Idlib is home to more than 3 million Syrians, many of whom fled from other cities following attacks by regime forces.The Syrian regime has recently announced plans to launch a major military offensive to the area, which is controlled by various armed opposition groups.On Tuesday, the UN’s humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock warned that such an offensive would lead to the "worst humanitarian catastrophe in the 21st century".Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani are scheduled to meet in Tehran on Friday for a trilateral summit on Syria.Idlib offensive could trigger new wave of migration to Europe, TurkeyRussia says summit to help clarify military situation in Syria's Idlib
Turkey condemned Russia's Idlib attack: FM
Idlib is strategically important
“Idlib is located strategically in terms of the Mediterranean. Many countries are hosting drills there. Idlib must be evaluated while keeping the Eastern Mediterranean in mind. The Eastern Mediterranean has billions of dollars’ worth of hydrocarbon. With this incentive, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch. Those who tell us to leave the area are asking us to stop interfering with the terror corridor,” Karagül said.
Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20, 2018 in Syria’s northwestern region of Afrin to eradicate the area of terrorists belonging to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)’s Syrian offshoot, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), following Turkey’s seven-month Euphrates Shield Operation which succeeded in clearing large swathes of Syrian territory from Daesh.