A deputy chairman for Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) indicated in a press conference with reporters yesterday (December 18) that the party would be willing to support a potential ground invasion of Syria.
Recent reporting by the Wall Street Journal has added to speculation in recent days that Turkey is preparing a ground invasion of parts of northern Syria currently controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The SDF is made up of several militias including the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG). The YPG is classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey due to its connections to the banned Kurdish Workers Party (PKK).
In his comments to reporters Wednesday, CHP deputy chairman Yankı Bağcıoğlu expressed commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity:
“Turkey remains committed to Syria’s territorial integrity, political unity, and state sovereignty. All Syrians should benefit from their country’s natural resources. We will also not allow any threats originating from Syria to come to Turkey. The survival and security of our military units stationed in Syria must be ensured. We must also prevent new irregular migration flows to Turkey and encourage irregular migrants in Turkey to return to Syria.”
Since the fall of the Basher Al Assad regime in Damascus a week and a half ago, the return of Turkey’s estimated 3-4 million Syrian refugees has become a major agenda item.
Potential ground operation
Bağcıoğlu addressed rumors that Turkey is preparing to strike the northern Syrian border city of Kobani, a major SDF stronghold, saying “If this is a military necessity, then of course an operation will be carried out. But we must see this necessity first.”
The deputy chairman said his party was evaluating a possible ground operation in Kobani “in terms of national security”:
“If an assessment is reached regarding a security threat against Turkey, then considering a ground operation is a natural response.”
When asked if the Democratic Union Party (PYD), a pro-Kurdish Syrian political party, constituted a threat to Turkey, Bağcıoğlu said “As long as PYD poses a threat to Turkey, our concerns will continue.”
Bağcıoğlu also said it is ‘too early’ to access the recent offer from SDF.commander Mazlum Abdi that a demilitarized region be established in the country’s north.
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Ankara’s prior knowledge of HTS offensive
Last weekend, US President-elect Donald Trump alleged in a statement to reporters that. Turkey had green-lighted the rebel group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS)’s operation that led. to their takeover of Damascus.
Reporters also asked Bağcıoğlu Wednesday whether he believed that President Recep. Tayyip Erdoğan’s main coalition partner Devlet Bahçeli had prior knowledge of the. operation. In October, Bahçeli initiated a reboot of the ‘Kurdish solution process’ when. he signalled openness to releasing PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan from prison.
Bahçeli, leader of the ultranationalist Nationalist Action Party (MHP), had long been known. for his opposition to rapprochement with Kurdish leaders in Turkey.
Regarding Bahçeli’s potential prior knowledge of the Tahrir Al-Sham operation, Bağcıoğlu said:
“I think at least Mr. Bahçeli knew. Because when you consider how this emerged. simultaneously with the Öcalan initiative,.I think it indicates that the MHP leader was aware of it.”
The CHP deputy chairman also said the fall of Damascus was a surprise, noting “Until Homs. fell, I did not expect this type of a collapse [of the Assad government]’.
Kalın’s Damascus visit
Several days after the fall of the Assad regime,.Turkish Intelligence Chief İbrahim Kalın visited Damascus,.where he was photographed attending services in a local mosque and. meeting with HTS leader Abu Mohammed Al Jolani.
Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) had sought the overthrow of.Assad starting in 2012,.and the fall of the Syrian regime earlier this month was seen as a long-awaited. victory for the president and his long-time allies.
Regarding Kalın’s visit, Bağcıoğlu said.“In these photographs, there is a message [from Intelligence Chief Kalın] saying.‘We are the owners of this operation.”
In his comments, Bağcıoğlu mentioned that the CHP is planning to meet with Turkish. Defense Minister Yaşar Güler. Regarding Israel’s recent occupation of parts of Syrian territory bordering the Golan Heights,.Bağcıoğlu said “It appears that Israel has gained the. most from HTS’s operation. Netanyahu has even gone so far as to say this.”
Story by Özgecan Özgenç
Translated by Leo Kendirck
