Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shake hands after a joint press conference in Sochi, Russia on September 17, 2018. (AA)
Tom Luongo: One Last Ceasefire Before Oblivion for Jihadists in Syria
The battle to reclaim Syria moved forward this week. Syrian Arab Army forces reclaimed the town of Khan Sheikoun last week prompting a flurry of moves by all involved, most notably Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The battle to reclaim Syria moved forward this week. Syrian Arab Army forces reclaimed the town of Khan Sheikoun last week prompting a flurry of moves by all involved, most notably Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Erdogan was in Moscow this week sharing an ice cream cone with Vladimir Putin and cutting deals. The first part of that deal went into effect today; a ceasefire in the de-escalation zone in Idlib province.
If the battle is won, in essence, and the jihadists on the run, why call a ceasefire now?
Simple. Turkey needs to be able to recall its troops from the area and disengage with the rebels it has been backing there for years. That was what Erdogan bargained for in Moscow, the lives of his troops.
That should tell you how serious Putin is about retaking Idlib and how little patience he has now for Erdogan’s nonsense.
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WNU Editor: The above analysis makes some sense. Turkish President Erdogan has shifted his focus away from Idlib to now building a safe zone olong the Syrian border .... Turkey to launch own Syria plan in weeks unless has 'safe zone' control: Erdogan (Reuters).