Ankara still believes that the only way to solve the problems is to work together with the countries in the region.
Ankara still believes that the only way to solve the problems is to work together with the countries in the region.
Following the overthrow of the Baath government in Syria, Türkiye is somehow at the center of the new emerging structure. But exactly how? What are the new positive and negative possibilities opening up before Türkiye?
We asked Yakup Aslan, the Ankara representative of China Global Television Network, who closely monitors the region, about the new situation and prospects for Türkiye.
Yakup Aslan presented his views on Israel’s occupation of Syria and Türkiye-HTS relations.
Israel is permanent in Syria
How do you see Israel’s occupation of Syrian territory? Is it permanent or rather temporal?
Israel won’t leave the territories it currently occupies. In the area near Damascus, Israel has taken control of the water resources by seizing the lands close to the Golan Heights. This ensures water supply to Israel. There are discussions about creating a buffer zone, but it’s also possible that the area could be permanently occupied or annexed by Israel. Another option is to create a Druze region within the “divided Syria”. Simply put, one analysis says that “Israel will be permanent in Syria” and this is supported by many evidences.
The Second Israel
The US and Israel would like to see a “Kurdish state” or better put the Second Israel in the east of the Euphrates in the new Syria. Here Türkiye’s interests conflict with those of Israel and the US. We want Syria to have territorial integrity, and we say that this is our “red line”, but the opposite side wants Syria to be divided. These two positions can’t be reconciled. Can a mutual point be founded? Mr. Blinken’s visit to Ankara last week was very important in this respect. One idea says that “Yes, there should be a Syria with territorial integrity but divided into cantons”.
What kind of neighbor will the new Syria be for Türkiye?
We don’t have a reliable neighbor in the south for our safety any more. This is clear. But there is a new government in Syria now and the rest of the world recognizes it as the legitimate government of the country. Who will this new government work with?
If it goes wrong…
In Türkiye media that supports the government was saying that HTS should be considered a terrorist organization before Damascus fell. That was a precaution like “If something goes wrong, I should not be left alone uncovered”. But Trump said that Türkiye was behind the operation of HTS and fall of Damascus. This means that, if something goes wrong the US doesn’t also want to take the responsibility. I think the US doesn’t trust al-Golani and puts the burden on Türkiye.
Following up this last point, if Türkiye is the playmaker in Syria with the US, this makes us wonder against who? The US sees Iran, Russia and China as actual and/or potential adversaries or enemies. So here the most important question is whether Türkiye can go out of the frame if the US draws. For now, it doesn’t seem very likely. But Ankara still believes that the only way to solve the problems is to work together with the countries in the region.