Turkey seeks allies' support for ground operation as Syria war nears border

Reuters ^ | February 16th, 2016 | By Tulay Karadeniz, Ece Toksabay and Humeyra Pamuk

[Mariner]

Turkey, Saudi Arabia and some European allies want ground troops deployed in Syria as a Russian-backed government advance nears NATO's southeastern border, Turkey's foreign minister said, but Washington has so far ruled out a major offensive.

Syrian government forces made fresh advances on Tuesday, as did Kurdish militia, both at the expense of rebels whose positions have been collapsing in recent weeks under the Russian-backed onslaught.

The offensive, supported by Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias as well as Russian air strikes, has brought the Syrian army to within 25 km (15 miles) of Turkey's frontier, while Kurdish fighters, regarded by Ankara as hostile insurgents, have extended their presence along the border.

The advances have increased the risk of a military confrontation between Russia and Turkey. Turkish artillery returned fire into Syria for a fourth straight day on Tuesday, targeting the Kurdish YPG militia which Ankara says is being backed by Moscow.

"Some countries like us, Saudi Arabia and some other Western European countries have said that a ground operation is necessary," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told Reuters in an interview.

[Mariner]

I say that if Turkey, Saudi Arabia and "Western European countries" want to have a war in Syria, they should go right ahead and have one.

But we'll be sitting this one out.

[Hugin]

Yep. Saw the scumbag Turkish Islamist president the other day asking for NATO help in attacking Kurdish “terrorists”. Let them fight their own jihad. I hope Putin kicks their asses.

[doc maverick]

So-called rebels=fallacy=ISIL

[jessduntno]

I’m still remembering the way Turkey reneged on our agreement and turned us back at the start of the Iraq war...when we were depending on the Northern invasion to close the vise on the Iraqis...pricks. Our guys sprinted all the way up from the south to meet them, too.

[volunbeer]

I say that if Turkey, Saudi Arabia and “Western European countries” want to have a war in Syria, they should go right ahead and have one.

But we’ll be sitting this one out.

---

Amen! That Arab Spring thing is working out so well for the President. I also think the seas are no longer rising and there is a new era in American foreign policy where we are no longer exceptional and nobody trusts us. Oh, wait.

[dp0622]

i will for the first time PROTEST VEHEMENTLY against US involvement in a conflict.

What is our objective? to protect ISIS?? Turkey??

Are you kidding?

let them slaughter each other.

and Germany and France? ###### you too!!!!

thanks goodness obama is deep down a big wuss and wont fight the Russians.

Yes, I know what Russia is, but we did NOTHING to stop ISIS.

and Russia is getting rid of the “moderates” too.

What the @#$$# is a moderate? they execute you after a giving you a birthday cake?

[SaveFerris]

Yes, we don’t quite have WWIV going just yet.

This is going to be some year.

[Mr. Mojo]

Shiite vs. Sunni for control of the region, with Syria the big prize.

Axis 1: Iran, the Assad gov’t forces, and Hezbollah, with Russian help.

Axis 2: Turkey, Saudi Arabia, various Arab forces, with possible NATO support.

A lose-lose situation. Best to stay out of it. But there’s a big problem — Turkey is a NATO member.

ISIS, contrary to popular belief, was created by Axis 2 (including Obama) to take down Assad. It failed miserably. They’re much better at committing atrocities than fighting wars. Now Russia is trying to exterminate them. Hope they do.

Problem is, with an Axis 1 win, Iran’s regional empire becomes virtually unstoppable, and Hezbollah is strengthened considerably.

Again, lose-lose. ...all thanks to Obama.

[Mariner]

"What the @#$$# is a moderate?"

A moderate is a head chopper that's funded and supplied by the CIA, Saudis and Turkey.

[Mariner]

"But there’s a big problem — Turkey is a NATO member."

Anyone who thinks the US is going to bail out Turkey when their forces cross into Syria is smoking sh!t that is STILL illegal.

But, if they can get us to put the Stars and Stripes in front of that column, they have us.

We should pull ALL Specops and Aircraft from the region ASAP.

Every asset.

[Mr. Mojo]

"We should pull ALL Specops and Aircraft from the region ASAP. Every asset."

We should, but we won't.

[laplata]

This is going to be some year.

---

I dread to see what shape the whole world is in by December. We’re in for a bad year.

[dp0622]

that about sums it up.

it’s like saying there were moderate nazis.

or moderate Black Panthers.

stupidest phrase of the past 3 years.

[TigersEye]

I’m sure 0bama would be glad to draw a red line on their border
with his magic disappearing ink pen. Hope that helps, Erdie!

[StoneWall Brigade]

End Time Bible Prophecy Ping

World War III Psalms 83, Ezekiel, 38-39

To be on the End Time Bible Prophecy Ping List, FReep mail me or Saveferris

[bill1952]

The president of turkey has publicly stated that the phrase”moderate Islam is an insult - there is only Islam”

[rawcatslyentist]

Sounds like Putin is going after their supply lines.

Of course we know where the ID thief in chief stands when it comes to his mooseSlime brothers!

[McGruff]

Cross that line. Please.

[matt1234]

Shiite vs. Sunni for control of the region,

That is how I see it too.

Another wild card is Iraq where we still have troops. We could get drawn into a war even if we try to avoid it.

I fear the worst.

[Joe Boucher]

Hey Turkey,
you refused our request to allow us to use our military bases in Turkey during both Iraq wars.
That cost many American soldiers lives.
I do not give a damn if Russia and Syria destroy all that is turkey.