News agencies reported yesterday that the Syrian regime is dispatching forces and equipment to the village of Arimah, 25 km west of Manbij.

Reporting from the region, news agencies stated that 40 pickup trucks, 2 military tanks, several trucks with military equipment and military personnel together with armored vehicles have entered Armiyah, a village near Manbij.

Reuters claimed that the Syrian regime backed by Russian forces are in coordination with YPG leaders in the Manbij region and are working together in order to respond to the expected military assault by Turkey-backed Syrian rebels who are waiting for the ‘signal’ to come from the Turkish military. Yousef Hamoud – a spokesman for the National Army – the main rebel force in the region backed by Turkey – said “the battle will start soon.”

According to experts in Turkey, after the decision of Turkey to enter the east of Euphrates and the decision of the US administration to withdraw its troops from Syria, the recent move of Syrian regime will once again change the balances in the region. The move of Syrian regime is understood by some experts as the ‘move’ of Russia indicating that ‘Russia cannot be left aside’ after the withdrawal decision taken by Trump in consultation with Erdogan.

Speaking to the Turkish press yesterday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu remarked that Turkey is determined for a military operation in the east of the Euphrates. He added that Turkey is pleased with the withdrawal decision of the U.S. administration and will continue its military and diplomatic conducts in the process of this withdrawal.

Cavusoglu also remarked that both the U.S. and Turkish governments agreed on the Manbij issue and informed reporters that both countries are working closely in order to complete the process. It is reported that Cavusoglu will visit Russia in the upcoming days in order to discuss the U.S. withdrawal process.

The Turkish Ministry of Defense also commented on the developments in Manbij by tweeting, “In accordance with the developments in Manbij, the activity in the Arimah area has been observed to belong to the Syrian regime, which has been in the mentioned area since 2017. The developments are being followed.”

Anadolu Agency reported that the military equipment and trucks of the Turkish army have reached Elbeyli, Kilis – less than 150km north of Manbij.

*Written by Selahattin Emre Celebi  

Speaking at the 18^th Doha Forum in Qatar yesterday, Cavusoglu responded to a question on whether or not Turkey will accept a Syria with Assad in the future. The FM said, “What we are trying to do at the moment is work for a creation of a constitution for Syria by the Syrians.”

Cavusoglu emphasized the importance of preparing for democratic elections in Syria and stated, “This process needs to be conducted under the umbrella of the UN. Everybody should have their rights. It should embrace both those Syrians inside and outside Syria, who are currently living in my country and other countries as refugees. Credible, transparent and democratic elections should be done. After this kind of an election Syrians should decide who will govern their country.”

Answering a question posed by the moderator, CNBC correspondent Hadley Gamble, as to whether or not Turkey will work with Assad if he is elected in those elections, Cavusoglu said, “If there will be democratic and credible elections, in that case everybody needs to consider this (possibility).”

Gamble also asked whether or not any new step of the U.S. President in Syria will change Turkey’s position, to which Cavusoglu responded, “I believe President Trump is thinking to leave Syria once again.”

Regarding the meeting of guarantor states at the minister level in Geneva next week, Cavusoglu announced, “We are working to announce that we have agreed on the constitution committee next week in Geneva. There are some issues regarding the list of NGOs. The (Syrian) regime demands a two-third majority, Turkey and the United Nations are against this. Therefore, we are working (on it).”

Cavusoglu remarked that they are striving for an authentic agreement to be executed and said, “We intend to go to Geneva to announce that the constitution committee has been completed and meet again probably at the end of this year or the beginning of next year.”

Apart from the issues in Syria, Cavusoglu was also directed a question about the extradition of Fetullah Gulen, the FETO leader. “In Argentina, Trump told Erdogan they were working on extraditing Gulen and other people… I have recently seen a credible probe by the FBI on how the Gulen organization avoids taxes.”

Reuters reported yesterday that the FBI declined to comment on “whether the law enforcement agency was investigating individuals or entities with ties to Gulen for tax evasion.”

Last week, Turkish President Erdogan said that Turkey would start new initiatives abroad to target the finance of Gulen supporters.

Finally, commenting on the possible military operation to be launched by Turkey on the YPG/PKK in north Syria, Cavusoglu said, “We will not risk the lives of American soldiers. Our goal, like the operation in Afrin and Operation Euphrates Shield, is the YPG/PKK… Are Americans guardians of the PKK? They should not be. This is the problem. Why did they provide so much weaponry (to the YPG/PKK)?”

*Written by Selahattin Emre Celebi

Since the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016, the AK Party government has been trying to emphasize the fact that the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) is not only a threat to the national security of Turkey, but is also a threat to other countries that it operates in.

Although the group, led by U.S.-based criminal cult leader Fetullah Gulen, tries to present itself as a “civil society” in countries that it operates, by ensuring its activities are conducted through businesses and -mainly- through the education system of countries in concern, after its attempt to topple the democratically elected government in Turkey on July 15, the group has been accepted by an official terrorist organization not only by the state but also by the Turkish public – regardless of ideological or religious affiliation.

In it’s attempt to ensure that justice is served, Turkey’s most recent calls to extradite FETO members has been in Germany and in Cambodia. With President Erdogan’s official visit to Germany last week, the President called for the German government to realize that this group, which is very active in Germany, will eventually become a threat that the German authorities will have to deal with nationally.

However, more recently, during a joint press conference with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Turkish FM Mevlut Cavusoglu stated, “We have repeated our extradition request on the issue of high profile FETO members in Cambodia.”

“This terror group is a threat not only for Turkey, but every country it operates in.”

Sokhonn mentioned that Cambodia is “in close cooperation with Turkey” in regards to the fight against FETO.

“As a friend of Turkey, Cambodia will continue to support Turkey in its operations against FETO,” the FM said.

Ankara and Washington have “reached an understanding” to normalize ties following a period of tensions, Turkey’s foreign minister said on Friday.

Speaking alongside his visiting U.S. counterpart Rex Tillerson at a press conference in Ankara, Mevlut Cavusoglu said: “We’ve reached an understanding to normalize our relations [with the U.S.].”

“Of course, there are steps which have been taken for this. Both sides have expectations of each other,” Cavusoglu said.

“We clearly expressed [to the U.S. side] our expectations with regard to the fight against FETO and the PKK terrorist organizations, and the U.S. support for the YPG.”

The Turkish-led Operation Olive Branch is now fighting the terrorist YPG/PKK in northern Syria. FETO, the Fetullah Terrorist Organization, is responsible for a 2016 defeated coup that martyred 250 people and injured 2,200.

“We assume that our vital security concerns have been taken serious [by the U.S.],” Cavusoglu added.

Saying that his meeting with Tillerson dealt with “result-oriented” steps, Cavusoglu said: “We agreed to establish some mechanisms which will cover and evaluate all the issues.”

Cavusoglu said the agreed-upon mechanism will address separate issues, including Iraq’s territorial integrity, Syria, terrorism, and consulates.

PYD/PKK in Manbij issue

Asked about the terrorist YPG/PKK presence in Manbij, Syria — a standing bone of contention between Ankara and Washington — Cavusoglu said the mechanism handling the Syria issue will prioritize Manbij.

“We should be sure that the YPG crossed to the eastern side of the Euphrates River, and we should see its execution together,” Cavusoglu said, adding that it is important who control these cities and provides security for their stability.

The terrorist YPG/PKK should first withdraw from Manbij, northern Syria for Turkey to take steps with the U.S. based on trust, Cavusoglu added.

Cavusoglu said Turkey and the U.S. will work in coordination to assure stability in other cities of Syria.

The YPG is the armed Syrian offshoot of the PKK terror organization, which has waged a more than 30-year war against the Turkish state, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths.

Relations between the two countries have been strained over U.S. support for the terrorist group PYD/YPG/PKK in northern Syria, with the U.S. calling the group a “reliable ally” in the fight against Daesh, amid strong Turkish objections.

For his part, Tillerson said: “We stand shoulder to shoulder with Turkey against terrorist threats.”

The U.S. will work on promises given to Turkey on Manbij, northern Syria, he added.

After the Turkish-led Operation Olive Branch clears the terrorist PYD/YPG/PKK from Afrin, northern Syria, Turkish leaders say it will proceed to do the same with Manbij, where both terrorist and U.S. forces are stationed, raising the specter of a confrontation.

Syria’s territorial integrity

The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to preserving Syria’s territorial integrity and national unity.

“We will decisively stand against all attempts to create faits accomplis and demographic changes within Syria,” the statement said.

Ankara and Washington highlighted that “there can only be a political solution to the Syrian crisis.”

The two countries, the statement also said, agree to intensify their cooperation to “bring about this result within the framework of established parameters, namely” UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and the Geneva process.”

Syria has been locked in a devastating civil war since March 2011, when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.

While UN officials say hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict, Syrian regime officials say the death toll is closer to 10,000.

Speaking at the Turkey-Africa 2nd Ministerial Review Conference in Istanbul on February 12, 2018, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warned that the U.S. must restore the trust it lost with Turkey.

Cavusoglu warned that, strained due to American support for the YPG in Syria, Turkish relations with the U.S. are close to breaking.

“Ties with the U.S. are at a very critical point. We will either fix these relations or they will break completely,” Cavusoglu told reporters.

“We want concrete steps [from the U.S.]. The missing trust needs to be restored. The reason for that missing is the U.S.”

Criticizing U.S. ties with the YPG/PKK terror group in Syria – the armed wing of the PYD/PKK – the FM said: “The U.S. is not touching Daesh members in Syria as an excuse to continue working with the YPG/PKK terrorist group.”

Ignoring strong objections from Ankara, the U.S. continues to support the PYD/PKK as a “reliable ally” in its fight against Daesh.

During a meeting with Turkish expats in Los Angeles on Saturday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu made comments on the fight against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), Turkey-U.S. relations and the Syrian crisis.

Cavusoglu criticized the Trump administration in their stance towards FETO, urging the U.S. to see the “true color” of the terror group.

Underlining that Ankara has since the July 15 coup attempt in 2016 made it clear that it did not receive the satisfactory support for its allies – especially from the U.S. – FM Cavusoglu stated that “I hope the U.S. understands it someday.”

The Turkish administration has consistently called for the extradition of the FETO leader, Fetullah Gulen, who is still residing in the U.S. Regardless of the fact that the Ministry of Justice completed all paperwork, including evidence that Fetullah Gulen was the main orchestrator of the failed coup attempt, Washington has refused to hand over the coup leader.

In response to these developments, FM Cavusoglu re-emphasized that neither an extradition nor an investigation has been launched by the U.S.

The July 15 coup attempt left 250 martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

FETO is not only accepted to be the group behind the July 15 coup attempt, but it is also acknowledged that the group has infiltrated many state institutions, with the aim to overthrow the government. The group has a major alliance and network with many different groups across the world.

Turkey-U.S. relations

During his speech Foreign Minister Cavusoglu described the U.S. as one of Turkey’s most important allies.

“There may be some disagreements on some issues, but there has been a tension [recently] in our relations because the issues of FETO and the U.S. arming of the PYD.”

“We are trying to overcome them through dialogue,” Cavusoglu added.

Turkey-U.S. relations had seen a standstill during 2017, as the visa crisis that erupted between the two countries occurred for the first time in their diplomatic history. The failure of the U.S. to support Ankara’s fight against FETO and the continuous military supplies to the PKK’s Syrian offshoot, YPG/PYD, have remained as core problems in relations.

Syria crisis

While Turkey insists that the Syrian crisis should be solved by paying attention to the Geneva, Astana and Sochi processes, Washington has remained arming a terrorist organization in order to fight against another (DAESH).

The YPG/PYD remains a dominant national security threat to Turkey as the PKK terrorist organization has – for over 30 years – been in war against the Turkish state.

In regards to recent developments made through the Astana talks and Sochi process, Mevlut Cavusoglu, noting that the situation is still “not totally good,” stated that “It is impossible [to be totally good] without a political solution and without bringing stability to Syria, but we are going well.”

The FM added that Turkey is “focused on the political process” and that Ankara is “playing a leading role.”

Turkey has been one of the most affected of the Syrian Civil War as the country is currently home to approximately 3.5 million Syrian refugees.

Cavusoglu is expected to leave Los Angeles on Saturday and head to Canada, where he will attend an international foreign ministers meeting on North Korea.

The FM is also expected to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during this event.

In an opinion written for Newsweek, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu described the situation in Syria not only as the “worst humanitarian crisis since World War II” but as a conflict that “encouraged the emergence of a global terrorist threat.”

Sharing a 566-mile-long border with Syria, Turkey has inevitably been the country most affected from the Syrian Civil War. Maintaining an open-door policy to those who have fled the atrocities in Syria, Turkey has become the largest refugee hosting country in the world. According to figures published by the Syria Regional Refugee Response, there are 3,424,237 registered Syrian refugees in Turkey. Bearing in mind that not all refugees are registered, this figure is estimated to be a lot higher.

The Syrian Civil War has also brought to the frontline Turkey’s humanitarian assistance. As the Foreign Minister comments in his op-ed, Turkey has spent over $30 billion to meet the needs of 3.4 million Syrian refugees seeking assistance in their northern neighbor. Opportunities such as free access to medical care, education, the right to join the labor force have been designed and given in order to help Syrian refugees “better integrate into their host society.”

State-funded terrorism

It’s not enough to highlight how Turkey has approached the conflict in Syria from a humanitarian perspective. While Ankara has opened its doors for refugees – not only for victims in Syria but from all over the Middle East – the Turkish administration is responsible for maintaining and preserving its national security.

As stated by Mevlut Cavusoglu, “On the security front, the Syrian regime’s brutality and the void created by the gap between the rhetoric and action of the international community have given rise to the most severe terrorist threat that has affected the entire international community.”

Highlighting the fact that “the terrorist threat targeting Turkey from Syria is not over,” the FM also emphasizes that the “solidarity and cooperation of the United States” is far from satisfactory. This is due to the fact that not only has the U.S. administration failed to support Turkey in its fight against terrorism, but the Trump administration continue to supply arms to the PKK affiliated YPG terrorist organization in Syria.

“The PKK affiliate’s presence lingers in northern Syria and to our dismay it is empowered by US-led efforts aimed at countering ISIS.”

Not only is the PYD/YPG well-known for its poor human rights record, which is reflected in reports published by independent international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, but the terrorist organization poses a major threat to the national security of Turkey. Ankara has repeatedly called for the U.S. administration to stop the facilitation of arms and weaponry and to recognize the legitimate actors in the political solution. Cavusoglu’s remark for this form of state-funded terrorism is highlighted as he states “the fight against terrorism cannot be won by siding with one terrorist organization against another.”

“The US must step back from this grave mistake and not allow itself to be blackmailed by the terrorist outfit.”

Geneva, Astana, Sochi processes

Following the failure to generate a solution to the conflict during the Geneva process, through the Astana talks, in which Turkey, Russia and Iran act as the guarantor states, “the violence in Syria has been reduced and the ceasefire regime was reinforced through a de-escalation scheme.”

While the Astana talks produced some result, the Turkish FM indicates that “the Geneva process needs to be resuscitated.” Claiming that “paying lip service to its primacy as the essential platform in the political process takes us nowhere,” Cavusoglu also touched upon the Congress of National Dialogue to be held in Sochi, which he states “could serve as a complementary exercise in this regard.”

During the Presidential Summit held in Sochi on November 22, 2017, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan underlined two conditions for the success of the initiative: a clear and strong link with the UN-mediated Geneva process, and the participation of the genuine members of the opposition with a clear rejection of anyone affiliated with terrorist organizations, including PYD/YPG.

As Cavusoglu states, if these two conditions are met then the Sochi Congress could complement the Geneva process and “create a functional synergy.” In order for such an initiative to be successful, all actors ought to be reminded of their responsibilities – including the U.S. Therefore, the end to the Syrian Civil War “commands near universal consensus,” and “the time to make it happen is right now.”

Speaking at a ceremony marking the beginning of the academic year in Hasan Kalyoncu University, in the southeastern Turkish province Gaziantep, Turkish Foreign Minister claimed that Turkey will surpass the U.S. in terms of supplying humanitarian aid across the world.

Mevlut Cavusoglu stated that Turkey is currently the second-most charitable country in the world, only preceded by the U.S..

In comparison to the U.S., which spent $6.3 billion on humanitarian aid, Turkey spent $6 billion in 2016.

“But this year we will be the top country to send humanitarian aid,” he added.

Underlining that there is no parallel between economic strength and humanitarian dedication, the Foreign Minister stated that Turkey is expected to spend more money on humanitarian aid in 2017, despite the fact that it is not the richest country in the world.

Speaking about the millions of refugees that have been displaced due to conflict, terrorism and famine, Cavusoglu said: “If you don’t stop terrorism where it is occurring, it will reach you.”

“You cannot say, ‘it is far from me, it will not touch me, it has nothing to do with me.’ This is the biggest mistake in the war on terrorism the world is making.”

In regards to the situation in Syria, the Foreign Minister said: “Stability in Syria will not be possible without a political solution.”

He claimed that the world had double standards towards dealing with terrorism, adding that only the fight against Daesh will not bring stability in Syria.

According to official statistics, Turkey is currently hosting over 3.4 million Syrian refugees that have fled the war.

Ankara calculates that it has spent at least $30 billion in sheltering and providing satisfactory living standards for these guests.

During a joint news conference with his Somali counterpart in Ankara, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Thursday that “Regardless of whatever decision the northern Iraqi administration takes, the point we reach today clearly shows that any decision they take would not bear any compensation for the damage they caused.”

The announcement came after the KRG announced that they would freeze the referendum results in order to halt the military operations in Kirkuk.

Prime Minister Yildirim also mentioned the Turkish government’s willingness to work “more efficiently” with Iran and Iraq for peace, security and counter-terrorism operations in the region.

He stated that Ankara is working with the Baghdad administration in transferring the control of the Ibrahim Khalil border crossing – also known as Habur – from the Erbil-based KRG to the central government.

Yildirim emphasized that according to the Iraqi constitution, the border gates belong to the central government.

“We have additionally discussed establishing a new route from the west of Habur. The Iraqi side welcomes it and we will work together to open this border.”

KRG poll results must be cancelled

In addition to the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu commented on the decision to freeze the referendum results.

The Foreign Minister said: “Northern Iraq’s step back is an important step but an insufficient one. This referendum must be cancelled.”

Cavusoglu also mentioned that KRG President Masoud Barzani is in a weaker spot now after the illegal poll, adding that in a one-on-one meeting, he had previously warned the President about the consequences of the illegitimate referendum.