The campaign launched by the Turkish forces against ISIS is long overdue. However there has been much speculation and suspicion that Erdogan is more concerned with the establishment of an independent Kurdish state on his borders than fighting the criminal fascists of the so-called Caliphate.
The decision to include attacks on the Kurdish PKK at a time when the Kurds have been the most effective force on the ground fighting the Islamist threat is a disgrace.
John McCain has issued the following statement which the coalition against ISIS should put pressure on the Turkish President to cease all attacks on the Kurdish people immediately.
"Turkey’s decision to assist the fight against ISIL is a positive step in the right direction. The use of Turkish bases for U.S. fighter aircraft will improve response times and increase the opportunity to collect intelligence in Syria. The establishment of a humanitarian zone to protect the moderate Syrian opposition as well as ethnic and religious minorities such as the Kurds against Assad, ISIL, al Nusrah, and other violent extremists is consistent with what we have been advocating for over three years.
“However, I am concerned about reports of Turkish forces shelling Kurdish villages inside Syria. As the United States and Turkey enhance our cooperation against ISIL, I believe these mutual efforts will be most effective in collaboration with local forces on the ground, including the Kurds.
“With Turkey’s help, I urge the President to finally come up with a coordinated regional strategy to put an end to the war on the Syrian people being waged by ISIL and the Assad regime. Our ineffective approach to Syria and Iraq continues to allow mayhem and violence to spread across the region, putting our allies in greater danger and fostering the conditions for an attack on the United States.”
Original statement published here: http://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=d633c7aa-0735-4f85-b68d-2ca7f00842fd
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