Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Analysis- Turkey Has 0 Regional Allies... Why?


Mon 17 Aug 2020 | 11:14 AM

After the attack on an Iraqi military position north of Erbil in the Kurdistan region by Turkey's military, and the killing of two Iraqi officers, it became clear that these repeated Turkish attacks did not leave Ankara a single Arab friend.

Turkey has no longer a friend of any of its neighboring countries, as its forces penetrate into Syria and fight in Libya, in addition to violating the Iraqi sovereignty. 

Moreover, it is the brink of a clash with Egypt amid tension with the Gulf states. 

The Iraqi authorities expressed this blatant violation of their lands and the killing of two officers of their soldiers by canceling a visit that was scheduled for the Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar to Baghdad.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Turkish ambassador in Baghdad twice to protest, and there is mounting pressure from Iraqi forces to take more hardline positions.

Analysis- Turkey Has 0 Regional Allies... Why?Turkey maintains more than 10 military sites in northern Iraq, with the aim of countering the attacks of the PKK, which is classified as a terrorist. It’s said that this number has increased in recent years, and it has become a concern for the Iraqi state, which is facing popular demands that they should be closed immediately.

The Turkish authorities say that they have the right to pursue PKK members that launch their attacks against their forces from northern Iraq or find shelter there.

It is difficult for any observer to understand this Turkish aggressive policy towards its Arab neighbors, whether they are near, neighboring, or far.

The Turkish forces occupy lands in northwestern Syria, support the armed opposition forces, and sent more than 17,000 fighters to Libya and thousands of tons of heavy military equipment to support the Government of National Accord (GNA) loyal to it.

[caption id="attachment_129256" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]Palestine Turkey Turkish Libya: Turkey to Begin Oil Exploration in 3 Months Turkish Fatih Drill Ship[/caption]

Turkey established and naval bases in Misurata, and a second air force in Al-Watiya, northwest of Tripoli. It is looking forward to a third in Sirte, and a fourth in Al-Jufra.

Moreover, it is about to enter into a military confrontation with Greece, and perhaps the European Union, after its decision to resume gas and oil exploration in a disputed economic zone.

It’s noteworthy that the Turkish government decided to send troops to support Azerbaijan in its war against Armenia, and this step provoked both Iran and Russia, Turkey's main allies in the region.

All of these Turkish military “moves” are taking place at a time when the Turkish economy is facing exacerbating crises, whether due to a decline in tourism, external pressures, or the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic.