In a defiant manner, the Turkish President Erdogan is abusing the war against the Islamic state to attack the Kurds. For purely internal political reasons, his agenda is to strengthen his domestic position. President Erdogan’s double-edged war against the PKK and ISIS brings accusations of electioneering. Consequently, this is politics under the cloak and guise of fighting terrorists. Erdogan wishes to have early elections in order to once again gain majority – with such nationalist movement tactics he endeavours to increase his votes. I can understand and comprehend the fear of the Islamic State (IS). However, we certainly cannot have a blind eye to what is going on, when the West, in the name of combating IS, is perhaps tragically betraying their own allies.

 

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Throughout the past year observed the brave Kurdish troops, who were able to defend themselves against attackers from IS. While the Iraqi and Syrian army were not capable of doing so, Kurdish troops took back large areas, including the city Kobane. But now Turkey has started to bomb Kurdish positions in Iraq.
Famous Kurdish forces, called Peshmerga, originated and acquired combat skills mainly because they were in combat with both Iran and the Turkish state as soon as one of them threatened Kurds. Both states, in truth, suppressed the Kurds for decades. Now, when they were approached by the prospect to be granted a small but independent Kurdish territory, Turkey in a bold move intervened and prevented it with military tactics.
Turkey probably does not mind that they are weakening the resistance against IS. As it is known, Turkish President Erdogan has great sympathy for radical islamists groups in the region. Of course, not in his own territory. He had allowed them to be arrested before the current attack.
That does not mean that he did not support them mainly in Syria and partly also in Iraq. Now President Erdogan says to America that he will fight against IS, and therefore, its air force must intervene in Syria and Iraq. On this course, he is abusing the situation and attacking the Kurds at the same time. It is purely in the interest of his internal policies in Turkey. After he failed to win the referendum, he must once again strengthen his position, to which these attacks should help.
Under the policy in the Middle East, where alliances and coalitions are sometimes changing from day to day, it’s not too surprising.
In addition, there were reports that America’s desire was to persuade Turkey to move on to their side in the fight against Assad and anti-IS, so badly, that they silently agreed for the attacks on Kurds. If so, this is the worst betrayal we have witnessed in recent years. It is a betrayal of our allies and comrades against the Islamic state, who were murdered not just by IS, but as well as by other extremists. If this is the work of the West, we can only remember the great French politician Prince Talleyrand, that of one of Napoleon’s deeds, who said: “It’s worse than a crime, its crap.” This is both ; an atrocity and stupidity
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Karel Schwarzenberg