Daily Mail: Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan claims to have concrete documentary proof that the West is backing ISIS
* Erdogan claims to have photo and video evidence West supports terror groups
* Comes as he called for the US to extradite his political nemesis Fethullah Gulen
* Erdogan has blamed Gulen and his supporters for a failed military coup in July
* Critics say he is using coup to eliminate opposition, with 41,000 under arrest
Turkish President Erdogan has claimed he has evidence the West is supporting ISIS as he intensifies the political crackdown against rivals following a failed coup.
Tayyip Erdogan claims to have photos and videos proving that western nations backed groups including Islamic State and Kurdish militant groups YPG and PYD, who have launched numerous violent attacks on Turkey in the past.
It comes as he called for the US to extradite his political nemesis, preacher Fethullah Gulen, who the authorities accused of leading a plot to seize power in July.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: The U.S. is denying these claims .... US says claim it supported IS in Syria is 'ludicrous' (BBC). More here .... US rubbishes Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's claim of Washington support to Isis in Syria (International Business Times)
More New On The Turkish President's Claims That The West Is Supporting The Islamic State
Erdogan accuses the West of backing the IS group -- France 24
Erdogan accuses US of backing 'IS' -- DW
Russia, Turkey: US supporting Syria 'terrorist' groups -- Al Jazeera
Erdogan Says He Has Evidence US Supported Terror -- IBTimes
Erdogan: US coalition supports terrorists in Syria -- CCTV
Turkey has evidence of US-led coalition support to Islamic State – president -- TASS
Turkey's Erdogan: 'Confirmed evidence' US-led coalition supports ISIS & other terrorists in Syria -- RT
‘Erdogan’s accusations of US supporting terrorists a parting shot for Obama’ -- RT
5 comments:
WNU,
Things are getting rather nasty.
Never underestimate the middle easterner's ability to believe the most outlandish conspiracy theories. But then, that ability is pretty much a human condition.
Erdogan's claim that the West backs ISIS and other terrorists in Syria may be related to the plan by Turkey, Russia, and Iran to divide Syria into zones of influence. WNU Editor posted articles about that plan nearby.
It is important to note that the plan satisfies the wishes of Russia, Turkey, and Iran (the "Trio"). The Trio have not asked the Syrian people, let alone the Syrian rebels, what they wish in order to stop the war. Nor does the Trio's plan seem to consider what Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States want in exchange for peace. It appears that the Trio intend simply to impose their solution. For example, under the Trio's plan, Assad would remain in office for awhile and then be replaced by another Alawite. I doubt that the Sunni rebels and their Sunni allies would agree to that outcome.
I infer that Russia calculates that, once Aleppo is secure, the remaining rebels can be fought with minimal Russian involvement. Turkey and Iran have relatively limited goals, i.e. to influence parts of Syria, not to have complete control of the whole country, so their calculations are similar to Russia's. Note that none of the Trio requires total victory (i.e. peace) in Syria to meet its goals.
The Syrian Civil War will thus continue for the foreseeable future. The rebels will remain mainly Sunnis, some (many?) of whom are also sympathetic to ISIS, etc. The Trio needs an excuse to ignore negotiations with Assad's opponents and to impose a military solution. Calling them terrorists does the trick. Moreover, there is an element of truth to the terrorist charge.
Iran receives the least from this incipient deal. Iran might still prove to be a spoiler in the Trio's plans.
Publius,
I think you've hit it pretty well. I'd watch Iran very, very, very, closely. In their eyes they have expended the most blood and treasure on this situation and I bet they will want the lion's share of the benefits. In this light I don't believe Iran would ever accept co equal influence in the area.
This will put Turkey (and Russia) in a bind. If they can get Assad to go away (a big if in my book) what role would his replacement have?
There is not a Syria anymore, actually there never has been, and that plus the above is why I don't think this plan has any chance of lasting more than a year outside.
In any event I think this setting the stage for the next phase which I believe will be direct confrontation between Turkey and Iran.
Publius and James,
I think both of your analysis are generally spot on. Labeling all rebels as "terrorists" even if they aren't is a very effective messaging tool especially when one has the media to repeat this simple and elegant message. In contrast, those who support the "rebels" are unable to define just who these "rebels" are let alone refute the charges.
Where I might respectfully disagree is it seems to me the Russians are going to be well able to keep Iran and Turkey in line and anyone be it the rebels or the other Sunni Arab states are probably just going to have to accept the reality of a Middle East dominated by Russia, Iran, and Turkey. As stated, though great analysis that could prove to be spot on.
Anon,
You write about conspiracy theories. Some of the conspiracy theories that float around regarding the USA bear little difference to the anti0Jewish messaging of Nazi Germany. While most Americans can easily recognize they are false, many others are unable to do so and the problem is made worse by the fact that there is very much legitimate criticism of America.
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