Turkey shouldn't take on Daesh, Kurds simultaneously

Ankara's opening of two war fronts simultaneously is bound to land it in greater problems.

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Published: Sun 26 Jul 2015, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Mon 27 Jul 2015, 10:39 AM

Ankara's strategy to defeat terror has landed it in a complex situation. While going after Daesh is a welcome move, it seems Turkey has opened an unnecessary front with the Kurdish militants by bombing their positions in northern Iraq. For many this seems to be like settling political scores with the minority population with which Ankara had been in truce since 2013. The Kurdish group, also known as PKK, has been fighting Turkey for an autonomous homeland for decades. It is difficult to estimate what impact this jingoism will have on the domestic mosaic of Turkey as the People's Democratic Party (HDP), which is seen as close to the PKK, won 13 per cent of the vote in June's general election.
Ankara's opening of two war fronts simultaneously is bound to land it in greater problems. The air strikes on the Kurds was an ill-advised move, and could lead to more geopolitical fissures for not only Turkey but also Syria and Iraq. Ankara would be better advised to focus its synergies against Daesh, in order to stem its march deep inside Turkey. The dreaded militant organisation has already played havoc in Syria and Iraq, and now eyes Turkey and beyond to extend its wave of terror.
As Turkish forces flex their muscles to take on the Daesh, they will have to be very clear about their targets. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has already said that his forces will not go for hot pursuit inside Syria, irrespective of the fact that it calls for a regime change in Damascus. Similarly, hitting Kurds deep inside Iraq will open a Pandora's box, leading to further instability in the region.
Turkey should comprehensively take on the Daesh by sharing its notes with other regional countries, as well as the Western allies, so that the menace is exterminated in the shortest possible time. As far as the Kurds are concerned, they could be better dealt within the political realms. Turkey's obsession to kill two birds with one stone could backfire in the long run.


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