Israel had mentioned 'Kurdish independence': Will an operation in Syria begin?
Gideon Sa'ar, who was appointed as Israel's Foreign Minister by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, had made a statement regarding 'independence' for the Kurds. Journalist and author Murat Yetkin, in his column today, stated that following the latest developments, "a Syria operation could accelerate."
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According to reports in the Israeli local press, Israel Katz handed over his seat to Sa'ar at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Sa'ar stated, "The Kurds are a great nation that does not have political independence." Claiming that the Kurds are a "natural ally" of Israel, Sa'ar said, "We must reach out (to the Kurds) and strengthen our ties. This has both political and security aspects." The Israeli minister referred to the Kurds as "victims of Turkey and Iran."
'A KIND OF CHALLENGE...'
Journalist and author Murat Yetkin drew attention to Sa'ar's statements, writing that Israel will "strengthen ties with the Kurds."
Reminding that Foreign Minister Sa'ar's remarks came after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's announcement that "Turkey is preparing for a comprehensive political-military operation, which includes new ground operations against the PKK in Syria and Iraq," Yetkin stated the following:
"He is also pointing to Turkey and Iran when he speaks of common enemies. You could call it a kind of challenge, or even a provocation."
3 NOTABLE ELEMENTS
Recalling that the 22nd meeting of the Astana Group, formed by Turkey, Russia, and Iran, took place one day after these statements, Yetkin mentioned that three elements stood out in the joint declaration. Yetkin summarized the three important points as follows:
"- The three countries condemned Israel's attacks on Syria. This included actions by 'states supporting terrorism' that weaken Syria's unity. This means Turkey had already abandoned its goal of toppling the Assad regime. Russia and Iran no longer viewed Turkey's military presence as a threat to Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
- They opposed the creation of new realities on the ground under the guise of counter-terrorism (referring to ISIS) and local election initiatives in the US-protected Syrian Kurdish region. This was parallel to Erdoğan's words from the day before, stating that efforts to change borders with blood, bombs, and assassinations would be resisted.
- They were also against the illegal seizure and transfer of oil and other resources that should belong to Syria, as well as the unilateral sanctions imposed on the Syrian economy."
TRUMP WINNING THE US ELECTIONS
Yetkin commented that "something new is being cooked up."
Stating that "Trump's election will change the balances with tremors; and the sides as well," Yetkin concluded his article with the words, "It seems that Turkey, like Israel, will hurry its hand until Trump takes office on January 20."