04-25-2017, 09:50 PM
*** 26-Apr-17 World View -- Turkey's warplanes strike Kurdish militias fighting ISIS in Syria and Iraq
This morning's key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com
****
**** Turkey's warplanes strike Kurdish militias fighting ISIS in Syria and Iraq
****
![[Image: g170425b.jpg]](http://Media.GenerationalDynamics.com/ww2010/g170425b.jpg)
Members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)
In Syria, Turkey's warplanes struck Kurdish militias known as the
People's Protection Units, or YPG, who are allies of the US-led
coalition fighting the so-called Islamic State (IS or ISIS or ISIL or
Daesh). The YPG said that Turkey's airstrikes killed 20 of its
fighters and wounded 18 others, and caused extensive damage to YPG
headquarters and nearby civilian property.
Although the US considers the YPG to be the most effective fighting
force on the group against ISIS, Turkey considers them to be an
extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The PKK have been
conducting an anti-government insurgency in Turkey since 1978, and
have conducted numerous terror attacks on civilian targets in Turkey.
The YPG denounced the airstrikes as "treacherous," accusing Turkey of
undermining the fight against ISIS. "By this attack, Turkey is trying
to undermine the Raqqa operation, give ISIS time to reorganize and put
in danger lives of thousands of [people]."
In Iraq, Turkish warplanes struck Kurdish targets in the Qandil
mountains in northeastern Iraq and on Sinjar mountain in northern
Iraq. The PKK stronghold is in the Qandil mountains, and Turkey's
warplanes have been targeting that region for years.
The strikes on Sinjar mountain are a new development. According to
reports from Kurdish sources, one PKK fighter was killed, but the
airstrikes also killed five Peshmerga and wounded nine others.
Peshmerga are the Kurdish militias that are part of the effort to
expel ISIS from Mosul.
The Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), which says that it is distinct
from the PKK, condemned the airstrikes on Sinjar mountain, but also
asked the PKK to leave the area.
The Iraqi parliament's deputy speaker denounced the airstrikes in
Sinjar, saying that they have no justification:
> [indent]<QUOTE>"The air strikes will affect the relations between
> both countries and will spoil stability in the area while the
> Iraqi forces are launching operations against ISIS in
> Mosul."<END QUOTE>[/indent]
A military statement from Turkey said that the airstrikes hit
shelters, ammunition depots and key control centers, to prevent
infiltration of Kurdish rebels, weapons, ammunition and explosives
from those areas across the border into Turkey:
> [indent]<QUOTE>"To destroy these terror hubs which threaten the
> security, unity and integrity of our country and our nation and as
> part of our rights based on international law, airstrikes have
> been carried out ... and terrorist targets have been struck with
> success."<END QUOTE>[/indent]
The statement said that dozens of militants were "neutralized."
AP and NRT TV (Kurdistan) and Deutsche Welle
****
**** PKK conducts new terror attack in southeastern Turkey
****
At least 10 Turkish soldiers were killed in two separate attacks the
PKK on Sunday, in the southeastern cities of Diyarbakir and Sirnak.
On Saturday, Turkey's military reported the death of 14 PKK fighters
in two separate offensives, also in southeastern Turkey. ARA News
Related Articles
****
**** US State Dept. says that it's 'deeply concerned' about the Turkish airstrikes
****
Turkey has long objected to the use of any Kurdish militias in the
fight against ISIS in either Syria or Iraq, and has taken its own
military action in Syria to block attempts by the Kurds to create an
independent Kurdish state of Rojava along the northern border of Syria
with Turkey.
However, this has brought the US and Turkey into sharp disagreement,
the Kurdish militias in Syria and Iraq have been extremely effective
in fighting ISIS, and indeed are thought to the most effective
fighting force against ISIS.
On Tuesday, US State Department spokesman Mark Toner expressed
deep concern over Turkey's airstrikes:
> [indent]<QUOTE>"Now, turning to Turkey, and I think it was your last
> question, so we are very concerned – deeply concerned – that
> Turkey conducted airstrikes earlier today in northern Syria, as
> well as northern Iraq, without proper coordination either with the
> United States or the broader global coalition to defeat ISIS. And
> we’ve expressed those concerns to the Government of Turkey
> directly. These airstrikes were not approved by the coalition and
> led to the unfortunate loss of life of our partner forces in the
> fight against ISIS that includes members of the Kurdish
> Peshmerga. I would also note that the concerns – or rather note
> the concerns expressed by the Government of Iraq and reaffirm our
> view that military action in Iraq should respect Iraqi
> sovereignty.
>
> And just finally, given the very complex battle space in these
> areas, it’s vital that Turkey and all partners in the effort to
> defeat ISIS coordinate their actions as closely as possible as we
> work together to maintain pressure to destroy ISIS on the
> battlefield in order to ensure that we meet that goal but also
> that we ensure the safety of all coalition personnel who are
> operating in that – as I said, in that theater."<END QUOTE>[/indent]
Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan apologized for the death of
the Peshmerga fighters. He contradicted Toner by claiming that the US
had been informed of the airstrikes in advance, and said that the
airstrikes will continue:
> [indent]<QUOTE>"We are obliged to take measures. We must take
> steps. We informed the US, Russia, northern Iraq and [Kurdish
> President Masoud] Barzani before we bombed PKK positions in
> Sinjar. We will not allow Sinjar to become a PKK base.
>
> Our operations in Sinjar and northern Syria will
> continue."<END QUOTE>[/indent]
Turkey's airstrikes in Syria are becoming particularly dangerous.
There are now roughly three different sets of forces operating in
Syria: The Syrian regime + Russia, Turkey + the Free Syrian Army
comprised mainly of ethnic Syrian Turkmens, and the US-led coalition +
the Kurdish militia.
These three forces are currently united only because of the fight
against the common enemy, ISIS. But once ISIS has been expelled
from its stronghold Raqqa, then they may turn on each other. The
Kurdish YPG has already threatened revenge against Turkey for
Tuesday's airstrikes.
Generational Dynamics predicts that the Mideast is headed for a major
regional war, pitting Sunnis versus Shias, Jews versus Arabs, and
various ethnic groups against each other. State Dept.
and Rudaw (Kurdistan) and CNN
Related Articles
KEYS: Generational Dynamics, Syria, Raqqa, Mosul, Turkey, Iraq,
Islamic State / of Iraq and Syria/Sham/the Levant, IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh,
Rojava, People's Protection Units, YPG,
Kurdistan Workers’ Party, PKK, Mount Sinjar, Qantil Mountains,
Free Syrian Army, FSA, Russia, Mark Toner, Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Permanent web link to this article
Receive daily World View columns by e-mail
Contribute to Generational Dynamics via PayPal
John J. Xenakis
100 Memorial Drive Apt 8-13A
Cambridge, MA 02142
Phone: 617-864-0010
E-mail: john@GenerationalDynamics.com
Web site: http://www.GenerationalDynamics.com
Forum: http://www.gdxforum.com/forum
Subscribe to World View: http://generationaldynamics.com/subscribe
This morning's key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com
- Turkey's warplanes strike Kurdish militias fighting ISIS in Syria and Iraq
- PKK conducts new terror attack in southeastern Turkey
- US State Dept. says that it's 'deeply concerned' about the Turkish airstrikes
****
**** Turkey's warplanes strike Kurdish militias fighting ISIS in Syria and Iraq
****
Members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)
In Syria, Turkey's warplanes struck Kurdish militias known as the
People's Protection Units, or YPG, who are allies of the US-led
coalition fighting the so-called Islamic State (IS or ISIS or ISIL or
Daesh). The YPG said that Turkey's airstrikes killed 20 of its
fighters and wounded 18 others, and caused extensive damage to YPG
headquarters and nearby civilian property.
Although the US considers the YPG to be the most effective fighting
force on the group against ISIS, Turkey considers them to be an
extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The PKK have been
conducting an anti-government insurgency in Turkey since 1978, and
have conducted numerous terror attacks on civilian targets in Turkey.
The YPG denounced the airstrikes as "treacherous," accusing Turkey of
undermining the fight against ISIS. "By this attack, Turkey is trying
to undermine the Raqqa operation, give ISIS time to reorganize and put
in danger lives of thousands of [people]."
In Iraq, Turkish warplanes struck Kurdish targets in the Qandil
mountains in northeastern Iraq and on Sinjar mountain in northern
Iraq. The PKK stronghold is in the Qandil mountains, and Turkey's
warplanes have been targeting that region for years.
The strikes on Sinjar mountain are a new development. According to
reports from Kurdish sources, one PKK fighter was killed, but the
airstrikes also killed five Peshmerga and wounded nine others.
Peshmerga are the Kurdish militias that are part of the effort to
expel ISIS from Mosul.
The Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), which says that it is distinct
from the PKK, condemned the airstrikes on Sinjar mountain, but also
asked the PKK to leave the area.
The Iraqi parliament's deputy speaker denounced the airstrikes in
Sinjar, saying that they have no justification:
> [indent]<QUOTE>"The air strikes will affect the relations between
> both countries and will spoil stability in the area while the
> Iraqi forces are launching operations against ISIS in
> Mosul."<END QUOTE>[/indent]
A military statement from Turkey said that the airstrikes hit
shelters, ammunition depots and key control centers, to prevent
infiltration of Kurdish rebels, weapons, ammunition and explosives
from those areas across the border into Turkey:
> [indent]<QUOTE>"To destroy these terror hubs which threaten the
> security, unity and integrity of our country and our nation and as
> part of our rights based on international law, airstrikes have
> been carried out ... and terrorist targets have been struck with
> success."<END QUOTE>[/indent]
The statement said that dozens of militants were "neutralized."
AP and NRT TV (Kurdistan) and Deutsche Welle
****
**** PKK conducts new terror attack in southeastern Turkey
****
At least 10 Turkish soldiers were killed in two separate attacks the
PKK on Sunday, in the southeastern cities of Diyarbakir and Sirnak.
On Saturday, Turkey's military reported the death of 14 PKK fighters
in two separate offensives, also in southeastern Turkey. ARA News
Related Articles
- Istanbul Turkey New Year's terror attack compared to Paris and Orlando attacks (02-Jan-2017)
- Terror in Berlin and Ankara as Russia's ambassador to Turkey shot dead (20-Dec-2016)
- Bombing of Turkey's airport affects a swirl of diplomatic actions (29-Jun-2016)
****
**** US State Dept. says that it's 'deeply concerned' about the Turkish airstrikes
****
Turkey has long objected to the use of any Kurdish militias in the
fight against ISIS in either Syria or Iraq, and has taken its own
military action in Syria to block attempts by the Kurds to create an
independent Kurdish state of Rojava along the northern border of Syria
with Turkey.
However, this has brought the US and Turkey into sharp disagreement,
the Kurdish militias in Syria and Iraq have been extremely effective
in fighting ISIS, and indeed are thought to the most effective
fighting force against ISIS.
On Tuesday, US State Department spokesman Mark Toner expressed
deep concern over Turkey's airstrikes:
> [indent]<QUOTE>"Now, turning to Turkey, and I think it was your last
> question, so we are very concerned – deeply concerned – that
> Turkey conducted airstrikes earlier today in northern Syria, as
> well as northern Iraq, without proper coordination either with the
> United States or the broader global coalition to defeat ISIS. And
> we’ve expressed those concerns to the Government of Turkey
> directly. These airstrikes were not approved by the coalition and
> led to the unfortunate loss of life of our partner forces in the
> fight against ISIS that includes members of the Kurdish
> Peshmerga. I would also note that the concerns – or rather note
> the concerns expressed by the Government of Iraq and reaffirm our
> view that military action in Iraq should respect Iraqi
> sovereignty.
>
> And just finally, given the very complex battle space in these
> areas, it’s vital that Turkey and all partners in the effort to
> defeat ISIS coordinate their actions as closely as possible as we
> work together to maintain pressure to destroy ISIS on the
> battlefield in order to ensure that we meet that goal but also
> that we ensure the safety of all coalition personnel who are
> operating in that – as I said, in that theater."<END QUOTE>[/indent]
Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan apologized for the death of
the Peshmerga fighters. He contradicted Toner by claiming that the US
had been informed of the airstrikes in advance, and said that the
airstrikes will continue:
> [indent]<QUOTE>"We are obliged to take measures. We must take
> steps. We informed the US, Russia, northern Iraq and [Kurdish
> President Masoud] Barzani before we bombed PKK positions in
> Sinjar. We will not allow Sinjar to become a PKK base.
>
> Our operations in Sinjar and northern Syria will
> continue."<END QUOTE>[/indent]
Turkey's airstrikes in Syria are becoming particularly dangerous.
There are now roughly three different sets of forces operating in
Syria: The Syrian regime + Russia, Turkey + the Free Syrian Army
comprised mainly of ethnic Syrian Turkmens, and the US-led coalition +
the Kurdish militia.
These three forces are currently united only because of the fight
against the common enemy, ISIS. But once ISIS has been expelled
from its stronghold Raqqa, then they may turn on each other. The
Kurdish YPG has already threatened revenge against Turkey for
Tuesday's airstrikes.
Generational Dynamics predicts that the Mideast is headed for a major
regional war, pitting Sunnis versus Shias, Jews versus Arabs, and
various ethnic groups against each other. State Dept.
and Rudaw (Kurdistan) and CNN
Related Articles
- Turkey, Syria, Kurds, ISIS converge on a major military confrontation in al-Bab (26-Nov-2016)
- Turkey's 'Operation Euphrates Shield' turns into full-scale invasion of Syria (26-Aug-2016)
- Turkey's military intervention grows in Syria and Iraq (25-Oct-2016)
- Turkey views Iraq and Syria through the lens of World War I and the Ottoman Empire (20-Oct-2016)
KEYS: Generational Dynamics, Syria, Raqqa, Mosul, Turkey, Iraq,
Islamic State / of Iraq and Syria/Sham/the Levant, IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh,
Rojava, People's Protection Units, YPG,
Kurdistan Workers’ Party, PKK, Mount Sinjar, Qantil Mountains,
Free Syrian Army, FSA, Russia, Mark Toner, Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Permanent web link to this article
Receive daily World View columns by e-mail
Contribute to Generational Dynamics via PayPal
John J. Xenakis
100 Memorial Drive Apt 8-13A
Cambridge, MA 02142
Phone: 617-864-0010
E-mail: john@GenerationalDynamics.com
Web site: http://www.GenerationalDynamics.com
Forum: http://www.gdxforum.com/forum
Subscribe to World View: http://generationaldynamics.com/subscribe
