Hurriyet Daily News published an article by Verda Özer headlined "The Turkey-ISIL relationship".
"There have been extensive allegations lately regarding the relationship between Turkey and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)," the article reads. "Let’s start with the argument that Turkey has been supporting the terrorist organization. Since the emergence of ISIL, Ankara has argued that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad tolerated ISIL because it has been fighting against the Syrian rebels. So, why would Turkey support an organization that strengthens the position of its enemy, al-Assad?"
"What's more, Turkey has tried to convince the U.S. to engage in a military operation against ISIL since its emergence in Syria and, because Washington did not resort to military attacks, Ankara held the U.S. responsible for ISIL's rise," the author writes.
"The basis of the mentioned allegation is the fact that Turkey has not taken strict measures regarding the transit of jihadists over its borders. However, Ankara has tightened Turkey’s borders following recent successive meetings with top U.S. officials, indicating that Turkey has faced up to the mistakes it made in the past," the article reads.
"Still, criticizing Turkey for not having taken strict measures against ISIL is not the same thing as claiming that it directly supports the group. It is also worth remembering the insensitivity of European countries on this matter. They have only now started sharing intelligence with Ankara about their nationals who cross through Turkey to join ISIL," the article reads.
"Furthermore, Ankara has always argued that the Syrian rebels should be supported more strongly and systematically, and it has also delivered direct aid to moderate rebels. But even the moderate rebels officially supported by the West share a broad base with the radicals, making it is almost impossible to differentiate between the two camps. There is also frequent cross-over between moderates and radicals, enabling the cross-over of arms as well. That is why it is almost impossible to control the last stop of arms deliveries," the author of the article reports.
"It has been argued that Turkey cannot become a regional power as it is not joining the coalition. However, both the U.S. and regional countries seem to understand Turkey’s concerns, and what's more U.S. allies both in the West and in the region are also avoiding the operation due to similar concerns. Even Washington's closest ally, the U.K., is staying aloof, despite the fact that ISIL just beheaded a Scottish aid worker," Hurriyet writes.
"Beyond all of this, what really matters is together showing sensitivity on issues regarding human life and national security in such a complicated region, regardless of our political affiliations," the author concludes.
The same agency published an article by Serkan Demirtaş "How will the anti-ISIL fight impact the Kurdish peace bid?"
"The entire Middle East is passing through dire straits as the world’s most brutal terror organization, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), consolidates its power in Iraq and Syria, storming both countries and turning the lives of non-Sunni communities into a nightmare,' the article reads.
"A fresh wave of refugees to Turkey was prompted on Sept. 19 after ISIL seized control of nearly 20 Kurdish villages in northern Syria’s Kobane region. The ISIL militants have intensified their advance to the north of Syria after days of clashes with the region’s main Kurdish armed group, the People’s Defense Forces (YPG) under the Democratic Union Party (PYD)," the author informs.
"The deteriorating situation of the Syrian Kurds has prompted reactions from other Kurdish political groups in Turkey and Iraq. Masoud Barzani, the president of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), has called on the international community to extend its hand to help the Kurds under jihadist attacks," he writes.
"Selahattin Demirtaş, the leader of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), has been more hawkish than any other Kurdish politician on the issue, calling on all Kurdish youngsters to join the armed struggle against ISIL," the article reads.
"The United States and other prominent Western countries have already begun criticizing Turkey behind closed doors, while the foreign media is questioning the alliance relationship between Turkey and NATO members. ISIL’s attacks on Kurds and Turkish inaction could prompt a similar reaction from the Kurdish political parties, which could weaken the currently strong bonds between Ankara and Arbil and also the resolution process being carried out with the cooperation of Turkey’s Kurdish politicians," the author of the article writes.
"The government is very aware of this danger and is trying to take measures to address it. According to Deputy Prime Minister Yalçın Akdoğan, who is closely following the Kurdish resolution process, the state of the Middle East is in utter turbulence, causing important changes in balances," the article reads.
"It’s true that the importance of Turkey’s Kurdish resolution process has gained even more importance given the worsening security environment of the Middle East. However, Ankara’s continued inaction against ISIL at the expense of losing its regional allies could drag the country into a more difficult situation. This is why Turkey should recalculate its stance against ISIL, although this will be very difficult due to the ongoing hostage crisis. As U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry recently said, tough choices await Turkey," the author concludes.
