Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hoped, this Friday, December 6, that the advance of the rebels in Syria would “stop.” continue without incident “. Turkey, a major player in the Syrian conflict and support of the armed opposition since its beginnings, has given its tacit agreement to this vast anti-regime offensive which is currently continuing towards Homs, after the fall, in recent days, of Aleppo and Hamah.
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These are words that go far for the leader of a country which, officially, no longer calls for the fall of the Syrian regime and denies being involved in the current offensive, writes our correspondent in Istanbul, Anne Andlauer. Recep Tayyip Erdogan nevertheless declared support for the advance of the rebels towards Homs and Damascus.
“NOur wish is that this advance of the opponents in Syria continues without incident. I remind you that we launched an appeal to Assad. I told him: “Come, let’s meet, let’s determine the future of Syria together.” Unfortunately, Assad did not give a positive response “, explained the Turkish president.
A bet not without risk
For around two years, the Turkish president has been trying to reconcile with Bashar al-Assad, with two objectives: to eliminate the Kurdish forces from Turkey’s borders and to return to their country a majority of the three million Syrians taking refuge on its territory. The rebel offensive, to which Ankara – in all likelihood – gave the green light, is seen as a means of putting pressure on the Syrian regime and its Russian and Iranian sponsors.
But this bet is not without risk. Because there is no guarantee that Bashar al-Assad – if he retains power – will be more willing to discuss with Turkey. If it attempts to reconquer lost territories, this could have the effect of rushing towards the border these flows of refugees that Ankara fears so much.
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