US Uncertainty in Syria and Turkey's Policies Towards the Country

Strategic Insights -

The US administration's uncertain policies towards the civil war in Syria have contributed to a lack of clarity in US relations with Turkey, a key player in the region. The Obama administration's agreement with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey at the May 13-14 US-Gulf Cooperation Council summit to support anti-Assad militias, including al-Nusra, Ahrar al-Sham, and the Army of Conquest, has created a complex situation. The US has not made clear demands on these countries to stop supporting these jihadist groups, despite the fact that they receive significant funding and aid from Arab Gulf states and Turkey. This has led to concerns about the US's role in supporting terrorist organizations and the implications for the war in Syria.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US administration's policies towards the civil war in Syria are uncertain, leading to confusion in US relations with Turkey.
  • The Obama administration's agreement with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey to support anti-Assad militias, including al-Nusra, Ahrar al-Sham, and the Army of Conquest, has created a complex situation.
  • The US has not made clear demands on these countries to stop supporting these jihadist groups, despite the fact that they receive significant funding and aid from Arab Gulf states and Turkey.
  • The US State Department's spokesperson, Jeff Rathke, stated on June 10 that the US has a strong partnership with Turkey against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), but did not mention al-Nusra, Ahrar al-Sham, or the Army of Conquest.
  • The Turkish election on June 7 resulted in a loss of majority party status for the Justice and Development Party (AKP), which has led to increased opposition to the AKP's policies on the war in Syria.
  • The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), a largely Kurdish-dominated party, won seats in Parliament and opposes the AKP's policies on the war in Syria.
  • Al-Nusra, a jihadist group supported by the Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey alliance, has continued its attacks and ethnic cleansing practices against Yazidis, Christians, Shi'a, and even Sunnis in Iraq.
  • On June 11, it was reported that al-Nusra had murdered 23 Druze men in the Idlib province of northern Syria.

Statistics:

  • Up to 40% of funding for al-Nusra, Ahrar al-Sham, and the Army of Conquest comes from Arab Gulf states and Turkey (Source: Recent reporting).
  • The US provides the majority of arms and technical assistance to Arab Gulf states, which are then sent to these jihadist groups (Source: Recent reporting).
  • 15 of the 19 terrorists involved in the 9/11 attacks came from Saudi Arabia (Source: Historical records).
  • The number of AKP deputies from provinces bordering Syria dropped from 30 to 20 after the June 7 election (Source: Fehim Taitekin, Al-Monitor).
  • Al-Nusra has murdered 23 Druze men in the Idlib province of northern Syria (Source: International news reports on June 11).

Sources:

  • US State Department spokesperson Jeff Rathke, June 10, 2015 (cited in article).
  • Fehim Taitekin, Al-Monitor, June 10, 2015 (cited in article).
  • Recent reporting (cited in article).
  • Historical records (cited in article).
  • International news reports, June 11, 2015 (cited in article).