29 Mar 2024


Sputnik - Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Syria need to team up in order to clear terrorists from Syria, Turkish political analyst Bora Bayraktar told Sputnik, adding that the US military buildup in the region, as well as the threat of the creation of independent Kurdish entities, allow for new regional alliances to blossom.




The US military buildup inthe Middle East has pushed regional players and their allies toform new alliances inorder torestore stability inthe region, Turkish journalist and political analyst Bora Bayraktar says.
"The US presence [the Middle East] and strengthening ofits positions [there] is triggering security concerns amongthe region's players, and do pushing them tocreate new alliances and consolidate efforts inthe face ofcommon danger," Bayraktar toldSputnik Turkey.


"The reasons behindit are the constant presence ofthe American military inthe region, the increase inthe number ofUS military bases, the threat ofdismemberment ofSyria and Iraq, the possibility ofthe creation ofan independent Kurdish political entity," he said.

The political analyst drew attention tothe fact although 14 years have passed sincethe US occupation ofIraq in2003 the American military has yet toleave the territory ofthe sovereign state. While Washington's methods and means have undergone changes, its intention tobeef upits presence inthe region remains intact.

According toBayraktar, right now the US is seeking ways tominimize its expenses, and apparently, therefore, Washington has decided toteam upwith Kurdish militias and political parties inthe region.

"A series ofevents is now simultaneously taking place inthe region: the operation toliberate [the Iraqi city] ofTel Afar, preparations forthe [independence] referendum inIraqi Kurdistan and [two separate] offensives againstRaqqa andDeir ez-Zor," the political analyst said.

However, the independence referendum inIraqi Kurdistan scheduled forSeptember 25 could become the turning point.

Although Ankara maintained working relations withthe leader ofthe Kurdistan Regional Government (KGR) inIraq, Masoud Barzani, Bayraktar notes that this cooperation could come toa halt if the upcoming referendum upsets the fragile balance inthe region.

Thus, it is hardly surprising that Turkey and Iran have recently joined their efforts totackle the looming threat ofinstability inthe region.
Bayraktar is keen tostress that, "The visit ofIran's Chief ofStaff [Major General Mohammad Baqeri] toTurkey and the establishment ofmilitary contacts between [Tehran and Ankara] forthe first time sincethe Iranian Revolution [of 1979] indicate that currently Turkey and Iran are facing a common threat."


Indeed, onAugust 16 Turkish and Iranian military leaders held talks onthe Syrian conflict and counter-terrorism aswell asthe issue ofdealing withKurdish militants inthe Turkish-Iranian border region, Reutersreported.

To add tothe controversy, the future ofthe Kurdish militias could also be hanging inthe balance despitethey are currently enjoying the US military support, Bayraktar noted.

He referred tothe fact that Brett McGurk, who serves asSpecial Presidential Envoy forthe Global Coalition toCounter ISIS atthe US Department ofState, recently met withsheiks ofall major tribes inthe Raqqa province.

?According toBayraktar, the meeting immediately prompted speculations that the US was harboring plans toform a new Arab coalition inSyria.
"The Kurds are concerned aboutwhether the US will turn its back onthem," Bayraktar told Sputnik, "The crux ofthe matter is that recently the CIA suspended its program toorganize [military] operations ofthe Syrian opposition. The Kurds fear that the same will happen tothem when the Raqqa operation is completed."


Meanwhile, the issue ofthe liberation ofIdlibalso deserves special attention, according tothe analyst.

Bayraktar explained why the resolution ofthe crisis simmering inthe province should be orchestrated byRussia, Iran, and Turkey, and not bythe US-led coalition.

"If they [Russia, Turkey, Iran] agree onthe issue ofprotecting the territorial integrity ofSyria, the best option would be tounite these three countries withthe legitimate forces withinthe Syrian state and conduct a joint sweep ofterritories fromterrorist elements," the Turkish political analyst stressed.

He further warns that, "If this doesn't happen, then the US will manage toextend its influence toIdlib throughits coalition."

The analyst underscored this course ofevents would neither meet the interests ofRussia, Turkey, and Iran and would throw intoquestion the future ofthe Syrian government.
"In light ofthis, I believe that the US and its allies shouldn't be let solving the issue ofIdlib ontheir own," Bayraktar emphasized. "While speaking aboutthe US allies, it is necessary tokeep inmind Arabs fromthe Persian Gulf countries. Their position onthe situation inthe region ultimately led Syria tothe present state ofaffairs."



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