Member of the CC of Communist Party of Turkey (TKP), soL columnist, Özgür Şen wrote an article on February 9, 2017 on the Russian airstrike that killed three Turkish soldiers in Syria's al-Bab under collapsing foreign policy of President Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) amid the U.S. and Russia.
Why is Erdoğan silent while Russia strikes?
Considering the explanations of both Turkish and Russian officials, a Russian warplane has mistakenly bombed a building hosting the Turkish Armed Forces in al-Bab, killing three Turkish soldiers.
Almost 2 months ago, Turkey lost three more soldiers during a similar attack on November 24. Although no one claimed that attack, Turkey blamed the Syrian Army for the bombardment.
Unlike the attack in November, the responsible is apparent this time. Russia has not rejected that the attacker plane belongs to itself, claiming that it has unintentionally hit the Turkish target because of the lack of coordination.
A common point of the attack in November and the recent one is plainly interesting. The first one was covered up at an impressively fast pace. So will the recent one, obviously. So much so that despite a day has not passed after the soldiers lost their lives, an agreement seems to be reached for the incident. Aside from a few statements, Turkey swallowed the first attack and casualties and did not carry out any research to confirm its allegations or to enlighten both domestic and international public opinion. Now the incident has been clarified so rapidly that the result has remained the same once again. Turkey has conceded its casualties quickly.
So, why would not it happen just the same as the officials of both countries have explained? Perhaps a great mistake is available…
However, the day during which the incident took place and even the developments following the incident seem a little weird…
An interesting period is taking place within the relations between the U.S. and Turkey. Turkish media has served the first phone call between Trump and Erdoğan in an exaggerated manner. It has been alleged that some agreements regarding Syria are made during this call, and even that details of this agreement will be discussed during the visit of the new CIA director to Turkey.
In the same day, a Russian warplane has hit a Turkish target accidentally while some allegations are spread around that clashes have started between Turkey-backed FSA militants and the Syrian Army which is moving towards el-Bab. Not to mention the fact that Russia stated the day before that it does not regard PKK [the Kurdistan Workers’ Party] and YPG [the Kurdish People’s Protection Units in Syria] as a terrorist, and that the Kurds have right in the determination of Syria’s future…
Moreover, two problems stand still between Turkey and Russia, which could not be settled easily from a historical context in spite of some other opposite views: the Russian warplane shot down by Turkish jets and the assassination of Russia’s ambassador in Ankara by a Turkish police officer…
Considering all of these, it may be difficult to accept that a Russian plane has hit three Turkish soldiers unintentionally.
However, all these may have happened in this way despite it seems difficult. The officials may be saying the truths; there may be a great mistake.
No matter the Russian plane has hit intentionally or accidentally, the result will not change in terms of AKP as the ruling party of Turkey: officials from AKP have to make the same statement in either case regarding the incident in question! That is what exactly makes the bombardment and the loss of three soldiers further dramatic in terms of AKP and thus Turkey.
AKP is paying the heavy price of what it has done at home and abroad. If it were paying it by itself alone, perhaps one could say it is fine since it deserves; but instead, AKP charges Turkey with its great sin. We are getting hurt as a whole country.
Turkey cannot seek for its soldiers who were killed in Syria. Having a direct role in the rise of the jihadist terror, the legitimacy of the AKP government’s operation in Syria is controversial. Furthermore, AKP has lost its risky gamble with international powers. While AKP attempts to get along with everyone, particularly the U.S. and Russia at the same time, those who seem to have forgotten what AKP has done in direction of their current interests will, of course, remember that deeds one day as required. Moreover, influential countries within the international system have diverse methods when it comes to settling scores.
Without having any direction or policy in Syria, AKP cannot raise its head and thus has become open to any kind of intervention and manipulation. This reality does not change despite it demands many more responsibilities from both the U.S. and Russia so as to remain in the field without losing its bargaining power.
AKP’s burden is too weighty to carry. As long as Turkey continues to carry AKP under such circumstances, we all will continue to pay the price of what AKP does.
