Geopolitics in the Middle East: Enemy’s enemy is an ally or another enemy? (10)

 *You can read full text:

http://ocininitiative.maeda1.jp/202010AllyOrEnemyInMeEnglish.pdf

3. Turkey；Mastermind of troubles (cont’d)

(3) Syrian refugees

 

In Syria, nearly 6 million refugees have been evacuated abroad during a complicated civil war between Assad government, anti-government rebel groups and IS (Islamic State). Turkey has received about 4 million refugees. Many of them wished to migrate to Western Europe especially to Germany via Greece or Bulgaria. However, Greece closed its border with Turkey because European countries became reluctant to receive many refugees. Increase in the number of refugees resulted in domestic instability so European countries country began to restrict immigration. Now civil war in Syria has almost ended. And the influx of new refugees to Turkey has stopped. But many Syrians are still staying in refugee camps in Turkey. This makes the Turkish government a heavy burden. Turkish government urges EU to tackle the issue together. Greece, Italy and France are reluctant. Only Germany, which has historical ties with Turkey is cooperative.

 

(4) Kurd issue

The Kurdish people with 46 million in population are living scattered in four countries: Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran. Kurd has its own entity in each country. They are PKK in Turkey, YPG in Syria and Kurdish Patriotic Union in Iraq. These entities are fighting for independence or autonomy against the central governments of respective countries.

 

Turkish government regards the PKK as a terrorist organization and has taken firm policy. On the other hand, Turkey is cooperative with the Syrian YPG. There are two reasons for Turkish dual policy. One is to separate PKK and YPG each other to prevent the Kurdish unitization. Another reason is to weaken the Assad regime of Syria. The anti-Assad forces are weak coalition and one of the forces is supported by United States and Saudi Arabia. In the early stages of the civil war, the rebels and Assad government cooperate to ousted the IS (Islamic State) forces. However, after the destruction of IS, anti-Assad forces fell in piece and the Assad regime with Russian support has overcame rebels. Turkey does operation to eradicate PKK crossing the border into Syria.

 

(cont’d)

 

By Areha Kazuya

E-mail: Arehakazuya1@gmail.com