In a phone call on Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Trump agreed
to coordinate in the announced US withdrawal form Syria. Officials say
the goal is to prevent “an authority vacuum” in eastern Syria.
This reflects the additional information learned about the decision to
withdraw from Syria, that it came following Erdogan’s last call to Trump
on the planned Turkish invasion of the region. In effect, the US
presence is going to be replaced with a Turkish one.
Which doesn’t sit well with Kurdish officials, who are continuing to call on the US to do something to
stop Turkey from invading. There is no reason to think that might be
likely to happen, and reports indicate that Turkey has forced the US to
choose between them, a NATO ally, and the Kurdish YPG, who many in the
US saw as an alliance of convenience.
The US pullout may delay the Turkish invasion somewhat, as Turkey seems
to be holding off while the US effects its withdrawal to prevent any
sort of fighting. In the meantime, however, Turkey continues to build up its own forces along the border, and Erdogan insists an invasion will come.
“In effect, the US presence is going to be replaced with a Turkish one”
I don’t think so!
maybe you should ask the syrian government, russians, arab tribes, and iranians about that. hahaha
both turkey and the US are dreaming if they think for one minute that any of that is going to happen peacefully
Do not worry. Turkey and Russia are in a complete agreement. People forgit that the first incursion, Euphrates shield, was rough for Turkey. US put a great amount of obstacles, ISIS seemed to have intelligence in troups positions, and to liberate Al Bab, Turkey got help from Russian airforce. That was the first time that the two airforces flew together in a combat mission. Our warmongering media at the time rejoiced thst once Turkey reaches Syrian Army positions on the other side of Al Bab — they will clash. They are now sharing that joint position for years, and no problrm.
Turkey is a peace guarantor, aling with Iran and Russia.
What has happened is face saving for US. Because Turkey is still NATO, and this territory cannot be given outright to Damascus — this is solution. And Turkey has proven that it can work with Kurds in Afrin after kicking out YPG. Same with Russia that has dealings with Kurds since time immemorial, and has good understanding oif their legitimate needs.
At least the population of that area will no linger be subject to restrictions, YPG arbitrary rule, etc. They will be able to mive freely to/from government territory.
And I hope nobody in Administration expects Turkey to be their proxy. Turkey will do nothing to harm Iranian or Russian interests. But Turkey will be a palatable intermediary to all Gulf states that will get involved in Syria, play nice with winner.
Since we all know that some elements in government will not give up trouble making, it is important not to expect too much too soon. But Turkey is after YPG not Kurds. There are plenty of other parties that objected outright reliance in US — and wants a deal with Damascus, Over time, now that cobstitution is being mulled over, Kurds have time to join.
I predicted this a long time ago. The Kurds have always been a place holder for the Turks. Turkey will only foment more Islamic extremism and instability. Supporting the Kurds was the best way for the US to convince Turkey to do it’s dirty work and guarantee that NATO no-fly-zone they’ve been dreaming about. The fact that pulling US troops is undeniably a good thing doesn’t mean that the goal here is all that better than before. The US needs to stay out of Syria but that will become legally impossible once NATO becomes involved. Turkey has always been a big part of the problem here. Let’s not forget the convoy of ISIS oil tankers that Erdogan’s son welcomed across the border. Erdogan can’t be trusted.