Turkey in Syrian Civil War – India’s Stand on Action of Turkey in Syria

This article gives a brief of Syrian civil war and the role played by world powers in supporting different factions in Syria. It discusses the recent action of Turkey in Syria after the return of American armed forces from Syria. It also describes the tough and daring stand taken by India against Turkey’s action.

Background

Factions in Syrian Civil War

US Forces Pull Out

Action of Turkey in Syria

Stand of India

Stand of USA

Conclusion

Background

Syria is a country located in Middle East or West Asia. It is burning in the fires of civil war since last eight years. The spark of this fire ignited in 2010 due to Arab spring which is a series of protests against dictatorship and undemocratic governments. The protests started in Tunisia and spread to other North African and West Asian countries. When the force of protests rushed in Syria, Syrian civil war broke out.   

Factions in Syrian Civil War

Syrian civil war ate millions of lives and ruined the country by dividing it in to number of factions. The fighting factions in Syria are supported by outside powers. External powers have their own interests on account of which they are supporting various factions either directly or indirectly.

The major faction is led by Bashar Al Assad who is the head of Syrian Government. He is supported by Russia and Iran. A terrorist organization Hezbollah is also supporting Assad government. 

Most of the western world especially USA is opposing Assad government and favour Syrian democratic forces.

The other factions include Kurdish YPG, PKK etc. They are part of Syrian Democratic Forces. The Kurdish factions are fighting for autonomy. Kurds are present not only in Syria but their spread extends to Iraq, Iran, and Turkey also.

Turkey and Qatar are also against Assad government.

A terrorist organization called ISIS had taken control of a large area of Syria. ISIS is a threat for whole world against which USA supported Kurdish forces. Their joint efforts led to the defeat of ISIS in Syria in 2018 and taking back areas under ISIS control.

There are a number of other rebel groups active in Syrian civil war. 

    

US Forces Pull Out

USA has a long history of getting involved in a number of wars in other countries like Vietnam, Afghanistan etc. Its war indulgence requires mobilization of large number of American troops in other countries leading to high death toll of their forces. This is not liked by home population of USA. Now, USA president Donald Trump has taken a decision to pull out their troops from Syria. This withdrawal seems to hurt the stability and reversal of past collective efforts taken by USA and Kurdish forces against ISIS.     

Action of Turkey in Syria

Turkey is located in North of Syria. Turkey was involved in Syrian civil war on side of USA. From long, Turkey was asking USA to take action against YPG, a Kurdish faction. Yes, the same faction which supported USA in its operations against ISIS. Turkey has a fear of YPG support to PKK, another Kurdish faction active in Turkey. The fear lies in demand of autonomy by Kurds which may result in Kurdistan. USA did not support Turkey in suppressing Kurdish factions; rather it is pulling out its forces from Syria itself. Thus, Turkey decided to act unilaterally. It did airstrikes in Kurdish territory in Syria under the name of Operation Peace Spring. Its pretends to the world that it is making a safe and secure zone in Syria for settling 3.6 million Syrian refugees present in Turkey. The real motto of action of Turkey in Syria is to create a buffer zone of Turkish military on the border of Turkey and Syrian Kurdish territory so as to break the link between YPG and PKK.     

Stand of India

India is not a mute spectator. It has potential to take a stand against wrong and illegal. Attacking in the territory of another country is a clear cut violation of sovereignty of that country. Turkey has done the same. India strongly condemns this action of Turkey in Syria. India is an emerging global power. It has to take a stand on a global issue and that is what it did. India’s strong argument against offensive act of Turkey is weakening of anti-terrorism efforts. Moreover, in United National General Assembly, Turkey has raised Kashmir issue and talked against India. Now, its own actions in Syria are questionable.  

Stand of USA

The withdrawal of American troops from Syria is an action taken by USA to appease its own citizens. Though it is good for domestic politics of USA but possibly can damage the global image of the country. Its allies may doubt its trustworthiness. The action taken by USA is not only threat to its own image but also a threat to regional stability and resurgence of ISIS. About action of Turkey in Syria, the stand of USA is not clear.  

Conclusion

Syrian civil war has torn this country and displaced millions of people. Global powers engaged in this war are responsible for this situation. If they caused so much destruction, then they must have come to resolve it and restore peace.

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