Turkey raises its tone, says it will step up attacks in Syria and Iraq

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday (23rd) that the attacks in the border region with Syria and Iraq in recent days are “just the beginning” of the government’s operations against Kurdish groups deemed terrorists by Ankara. The Turkish Armed Forces has been carrying out operations with aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and ground artillery against the bases used by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) group and the People’s Protection Units (YPG) since 20 Sunday (20).

The increase escalated after an attack by two groups in Istanbul on 13 November that killed six people, the Turkish government said.

Both are viewed as terrorists by Ankara without the support of other countries. The PKK and YPG even fought alongside Western countries in their fight against the Islamic State (IS) extremists. In fact, one of the bases that Turkey hit in northern Syria was used jointly by the Kurds and the US-led international force.

Erdogan said an operation with ground troops in the two countries could be carried out “at the appropriate time” because Turkey was “determined” to protect its borders.

“We will clear the terrorists from Tel Rifat, Manbij and Ayn-al Arab” [Kobane]”Those who guarantee that Turkey will not face threats from areas under its control are not keeping their word,” he said.

But if the US and Russia are on the opposite side in basically all conflicts, then both governments want “modesty” from Ankara. Like the Americans, Moscow plays an active role in the Syrian war, fighting against IS but also on behalf of the regime head, Bashar al-Assad.

“We understand Turkey’s concerns about its security, but we also urge all parties to refrain from any attempt that could destabilize the situation. We urge to refrain from using excessive force,” the spokesperson said. Russian government, Dmitri Peskov, this Tuesday.

Washington State Department spokesman Ned Price said Joe Biden’s government “opposes any uncoordinated military action that violates the sovereignty of the two countries”.

Many international analysts still point to Erdogan’s decision to expand action against the Kurds, as Russia is waging its own war in Ukraine and the United States is determined to provide Kiev with billions of dollars in aid and equipment for self-defense.