This is with reference to the article “Choosing between two evils” (Sept. 5) by Hassan Barari. I don’t think that it is the case of Turkey choosing the lesser evil. It is all about dealing with the immediate threat with long-term consequences. As far as Daesh is concerned, the entire world is working to eliminate this scourge from the region but the same forces appear to be divided on the Kurdish issue. Had the international community unanimous on this issue, Ankara’s position would have been different and it would not have soften its stance on Assad.
It is not a secret that the separatist PKK is a designated terrorist organization, which has been involved in anti-state activities for decades. In such a situation, strengthening of like-minded forces along the Turkey-Syria border is detrimental to the stability of Turkey. In addition to that Turkey is also hosting a large number of Syrian refugees and it is also responsible for their security. There are various factors that should be taken into consideration before raising one’s eyebrows over Turkey’s “changing” position on Syria.
Many western observers are of the view that attacking the YPG in Syria might hurt global anti-Daesh efforts in the region. I don’t accuse such analysts of bias against Turkey but they definitely are not well-versed with the ground situation.
They need to study the history and current situation of southeastern parts of Turkey and the PKK’s terror activities in that region before blaming Ankara for any wrongdoing. Most western writers usually analyze situations from their perspectives, which creates unnecessary confusions. We should understand that all of us are in this problem together and we need to make joint efforts to pull ourselves from this mess. Unnecessary mudslinging is not going to help us. The western powers should also change their approach toward Syria in the interest of the region and the entire world. — Mahmood Ahmed Shah, Jeddah
Lesser evil?
