The Syrian journalist: �If Idlib is cleared, the Syrian army will occupy the eastern bank of Euphrates�

***

-You insisted that Idlid would play a decisive role in ensuring Syria"s territorial integrity. Is the 17 September Sochi arrangement sufficient to to solve the Idlib issue?

Hüsnü Mahalli - From 2011 on, the Turkish policy in respect of Syria consists of two parameters: the present Turkish authorities are longing for the Ottoman Empire and caliphate. After Turkey recognized the Gulg countries as its allies, the West desired to avail of the situation. At first stages of "Arab spring " they talked about transaction of the "Turkish model" into these countries. The logic is in affect nowadays. Suffice it to look at relations between Turkey and the United States which are now in progress even despite time and again scandals. Another look at relations between Qatar and Turkey reveals that Qatar cannot figuratively go to the toilet without US permission. In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and UAE broke off relations with Qatar, and even were about to occupy Qatar and wipe it out at all. Qatar"s emir ran to Trump and asked help from him.

It has to be kept in mind that a week before President Trump made a statement against Qatar which said that this country was supportive of "Moslem Brotherhood" and the Islamic terror. Of interest is the fact that Qatar continues to support, secretly though, such terrorist groups as ISIS, al-Qaeda, "Moslem Brotherhood". Some sources say that 10,000 members of the above-mentioned terror organizations have been withdrawn from the Middle East into another place. It is still unknown how they will be used henceforth. Turkey has bogged down and cannot get out of it.

As for Sochi arrangements, there will be established "a demilitarized zone" at a depth of 15-25 km, and heavy armament will be taken away from al-Nusra and other terror organizations. If they fail to surrender their weapons, the Turkish army will have to fight against them.

- Sometimes the Russian press argues that Turkey "is patronizing these groups. Is that true?

- During a last meeting in Teheran President Erdogan stressed that it was essential to stick to the cease-fire regime in Idlib. The crux of the problem is as follows: Erdogan told Islamists worldwide that I"m your defender. Putin does not admit maneuvers of this sort, so he invited Erdogan to Sochi even despite the fact that there was no need in such a meeting. While at Sochi, Putin told Erdogan that if you want to clear Idlib, please, do it. We allowed you into Afrin, al-Bab, Jerablus. We set our hopes on you, clear Idlib away.

It has to be remembered that the Arab mass and social media indicate that 3,000 members of al-Nusra left for Turkey. Presuming that Turkey will withdraw all terrorists from there, we must take into account that there are 15,000 foreigners from Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Central Asia, China, France and Germany. It is important to clear the territory from hirelings, because Syrian citizens earlier fighting against the state presented their apologies and capitulated. Nobody says anything today and they live normal life. A question of foreigners to leave the region has been placed on Turkey, given that the question be settled till the end of October. If failed, Russia will conduct a military operation in the region. I think that the Turkish President must have signed an arrangement on clearing Idlib away from terrorists. Well, but in whose name the arrangement has been signed?

- On behalf of local groups or on behalf of Turkey?

- The signature was appended on behalf of groups that had guarantees. When Putin touched upon an aircraft downed several days ago, he added that it was not a case where the aircraft was shot down by Turks deliberately. Why did he say these words? He hinted that the Russian aircraft shot down by Turkey in November 2015 had not been forgotten. At present Erdogan is heading for New York, and if he succeeds to meet with Trump, he will ask him to assist in resolving the issue. They are seeking to hold secret talks with Israel and establish ties with the Jewish lobby. The situation will clear off in the nearest 10 days. What is the import of President Erdogan"s actions? He can tell the United States, "Take the eastern bank of Euphrates and stay over there forever. In this case he can allege that Americans are not going to leave the eastern bank, and then I won"t leave the western bank of Euphrates. And the remaining part will fall to the share of Syria. I entertain suspicions on this track, and behind the scenes there is another factor - Sunnites" antipathy against Shiites. If Turkey really wants to solve the issue, it should start talks with Asad , for this is the easiest and correct way to address issues. They can meet in Istanbul, Moscow, Teheran or Baku. If Turkey declines from its abortive 7-year long policy, Asad accepts a proposal on the start of the dialogue, because the people of Syria is tired of the war that killed 300,000, destroyed 600,000 houses and the country"s economy presently in deplorable condition. Sochi, 15 kilometers, tampons, etc. All these are empty talk.

- You have stated that Turkey has time enough till the end of the year to cler off Idlib. What do you think, why has the question has postponed 2-3 months ahead?

- Because there is an economic crisis in Turkey. Our friends in economy told us that a new wave of crisis is expected to take place in Turkey in November. When I wrote about it, no elections took place on June 24 which messed up the contract. A regime of one person only has set in Turkey. That"s why Russia, Europe and the United States had to revise the situation. Are the West and Russia watching here what we cannot write?

- Turkey has been granted 20-25 days in Sochi. Isn"t too little, what do you? Will Turkey be able to withdraw groups that cause anxiety?

- There is a single way to withdraw these groups from there over such a short term. If Turkey has not negotiated with these groups with the help of mediators, Mr. Erdogan would not be able to go to Sochi. It"s normal. Local groups asked for guarantees not to be sent to Russia, China or other countries. We see it every day in their social media. All is well known to everybody , however, we cannot write about it here. Everything was correlated, and guarantees have been furnished. In addition to satellites, there are permanent Russian observers,including other persons devoted to the Syrian state. They will regularly be informinfg the state about the current situation. In this case the Turks will face difficulties and be unable to conceal anything. If no tunnel is laid, there is nothing to be concealed. If you remember, terrorists have laid a 30 km tunnel in eastern Guta. Now there is a museum; Syrian craftsmen painted walls of the tunnel and placed statues there.

- How will results of the Idlib operation affect Turkey"s presence in Afrin, Jelabrus and al-Bab?

- At present, a 250 km region is under complete control of Turkey that rules everything there, including mosque Valilardan and its mullahs. Under an agreement signed with Russia, if Putin demands from Turks to leave the region, it"d be the most advantageous variant: Turkey-related persons would have deputy"s seats in the cource of elections in Syria. During the UN-supervised elections Erdogan would do his utmost to get his close friends elected to the Syrian parliament. To my thinking, it"d be advantageous for Turkey. During the presidential elections Asad is expected to win approx.60% of votes. In turn, the АКР is likely to try its representatives to get elected deputies. The best result for Turkey is that the АКР will be able to force 20-25 his people into the parliament. The poin here is about good and ill intentions. If your intentions are good, there is a state on the opposite side which is sincerely glad to solve these issues.

- When will the issues relating to the eastern bank of Euphrates be settled?

- It should be noted that 22% of the population of the region are Kurds, the rest are Arabs. I know these regions very well, and their population is faithful to the Syrian state. Following the resolution to the Idlib issue, next comes this region. Should the Idlib issue be resolved by the end of October, the Sdyrian army would be able to advance toward the right bank of Euphrates. I think the problem will be solved before winter sets. Unlike Iran, Iraq and Turkey, Syrian Kurds have never marched against the state. For this reason, Asad made nice with them.

Leave a review

Great East

Follow us on social networks

News Line