As more details emerge about Turkey's extraction of its troops guarding the Tomb of Süleyman Şah -- the grandfather of the founder of the Ottoman Empire -- in northern Syria, it's still not clear whether Turkey launched its military operation alone or with the help and/or permission of the US, Kurdish groups that Turkey considers terrorists or the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Although Turkish government officials are trying to present the abandonment of the tomb as a military success, several reports and opposition politicians in Turkey have questioned the reasons behind the military operation dubbed “Operation Shah Euphrates.”
Turkey launched a military operation late on Saturday to bring back 38 troops guarding the tomb -- the only Turkish territory that is not attached to the rest of the country. While the operation signaled the apparent collapse of Turkey's Syria policy under the threat of the terrorist Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), it was hailed as a success by the government.
İbrahim Kalın, spokesman for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, said on Monday that the military operation was launched to counter a possible attack on the Turkish troops there. Kalın's defence of the operation as a righteous move conflicts with remarks delivered last summer by officials, including President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. Both Erdoğan and Davutoğlu had said that any attack on Süleyman Şah would be considered an attack against Turkish territory and would warrant retaliation.
"With this operation, our government has removed the risk of a possible attack on the tomb and the military post, and of endangering the lives of our soldiers," Kalin told reporters in Ankara.
Kalın also denied the reports that the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) helped Turkey's cross-border operation into Syria, calling the PYD a terrorist organization. He also denied that Turkey has an agreement with ISIL in regards to moving the tomb to a different location.
Although Turkish government officials are trying to present the abandonment of the tomb as a military success, several reports and opposition politicians in Turkey have questioned the reasons behind the military operation dubbed “Operation Shah Euphrates.”
Turkey launched a military operation late on Saturday to bring back 38 troops guarding the tomb -- the only Turkish territory that is not attached to the rest of the country. While the operation signaled the apparent collapse of Turkey's Syria policy under the threat of the terrorist Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), it was hailed as a success by the government.
İbrahim Kalın, spokesman for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, said on Monday that the military operation was launched to counter a possible attack on the Turkish troops there. Kalın's defence of the operation as a righteous move conflicts with remarks delivered last summer by officials, including President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. Both Erdoğan and Davutoğlu had said that any attack on Süleyman Şah would be considered an attack against Turkish territory and would warrant retaliation.
"With this operation, our government has removed the risk of a possible attack on the tomb and the military post, and of endangering the lives of our soldiers," Kalin told reporters in Ankara.
Kalın also denied the reports that the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) helped Turkey's cross-border operation into Syria, calling the PYD a terrorist organization. He also denied that Turkey has an agreement with ISIL in regards to moving the tomb to a different location.
Syria's People's Protection Units (YPG) claimed over the weekend that Turkish officials sought the YPG's assistance to rescue troops. The YPG is a Kurdish militia group affiliated with the PYD that Turkey considers a terrorist group. PYD is also an affiliate of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU.
Murat Karayılan, a senior PKK leader, claimed on Monday that Turkey informed the PYD and YPG about its military operation in advance. Karayılan said there is no military success or victory for Turkey as the operation was done in cooperation with local Kurds. He added that if Turkey wants to develop “diplomatic ties” with Kurds, “this recent help” would be a good start.
Murat Karayılan, a senior PKK leader, claimed on Monday that Turkey informed the PYD and YPG about its military operation in advance. Karayılan said there is no military success or victory for Turkey as the operation was done in cooperation with local Kurds. He added that if Turkey wants to develop “diplomatic ties” with Kurds, “this recent help” would be a good start.
Karayılan stated that the YPG opened a safe corridor for Turkish tanks going to rescue Turkish troops, while YPG vehicles escorted the tanks.
Fighters from the YPG reportedly created a five-kilometer long corridor while Turkish units entered the Rojava Canton of Kobani through the Mürşitpınar border gate on route to the Tomb of Süleyman Şah.
He also argued that the government must have had an agreement with ISIL about the operation given that ISIL let Turkish troops go to the tomb without any incident.
On Sunday, a Turkish security source quoted by Reuters said the operation was conducted via the Syrian Kurdish border town of Kobani with the support of local Kurdish authorities.
Hasip Kaplan, a lawmaker for the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), also claimed that there was military cooperation between the Turkish military and the YPG who control Kobani.
He also argued that the government must have had an agreement with ISIL about the operation given that ISIL let Turkish troops go to the tomb without any incident.
On Sunday, a Turkish security source quoted by Reuters said the operation was conducted via the Syrian Kurdish border town of Kobani with the support of local Kurdish authorities.
Hasip Kaplan, a lawmaker for the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), also claimed that there was military cooperation between the Turkish military and the YPG who control Kobani.
"Turkish forces and the YPG, which have been at war for the past 30 years, were part of the same operation for the first time. This is a milestone," Kaplan was quoted as saying on the Hürriyet daily's website. Kaplan also said the tomb's new site is located in an area ruled by the "Kobani Canton."
Kalın reiterated statements made by Prime Minister Davutoğlu, saying Turkey informed its allies about the operation and sent a diplomatic note to the Syrian regime about the operation. However, he said the veracity of the claims from some circles suggesting that Turkey contacted, coordinated and cooperated with local Kurdish authorities was “out of the question.”
“This entire operation was the decision of the Turkish Republic and was conducted via its own facilities and abilities,” Kalın said.
Regarding claims that Turkey moved the tomb of Süleyman Şah in northern Syria to a place under Kurdish control, Kalın said it is hard to say who controls what area amidst the extremely fragile security situation in Syria.
Kalın said the location of the newly designated burial place is being referred to as Syrian Eşme, which is reportedly across the border from the Eşmeler village in Şanlıurfa's Birecik district, and is under the protection of the Turkish Republic.
“We don't see any problems or the possibility of clashes there,” Kalın said.
In a statement read out on state TV on Sunday, the Syrian government said the operation was an act of “flagrant aggression,” but Kalın dismissed the statement saying that Syrian authorities had lost all legitimacy. According to the Syrian government, the Turkish government informed the Syrian consulate in İstanbul about the operation but did not wait for Syria's agreement.
Turkish Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz on Monday informed Parliament of the operation, calling it a “success.” Yılmaz said Turkey has not lost territory as some critics suggested and added that the tomb's new location is within walking distance from Turkey.
Kalın reiterated statements made by Prime Minister Davutoğlu, saying Turkey informed its allies about the operation and sent a diplomatic note to the Syrian regime about the operation. However, he said the veracity of the claims from some circles suggesting that Turkey contacted, coordinated and cooperated with local Kurdish authorities was “out of the question.”
“This entire operation was the decision of the Turkish Republic and was conducted via its own facilities and abilities,” Kalın said.
Regarding claims that Turkey moved the tomb of Süleyman Şah in northern Syria to a place under Kurdish control, Kalın said it is hard to say who controls what area amidst the extremely fragile security situation in Syria.
Kalın said the location of the newly designated burial place is being referred to as Syrian Eşme, which is reportedly across the border from the Eşmeler village in Şanlıurfa's Birecik district, and is under the protection of the Turkish Republic.
“We don't see any problems or the possibility of clashes there,” Kalın said.
In a statement read out on state TV on Sunday, the Syrian government said the operation was an act of “flagrant aggression,” but Kalın dismissed the statement saying that Syrian authorities had lost all legitimacy. According to the Syrian government, the Turkish government informed the Syrian consulate in İstanbul about the operation but did not wait for Syria's agreement.
Turkish Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz on Monday informed Parliament of the operation, calling it a “success.” Yılmaz said Turkey has not lost territory as some critics suggested and added that the tomb's new location is within walking distance from Turkey.
Yılmaz dismissed the suggestion that Turkey has given up its sovereignty rights over the Turkish territory in Syria as a result of the move, saying that the operation was done to protect the Turkish soldiers guarding the tomb against the threat of ISIL.
“Today no one should question why we have taken measures to protect our troops against a threat. No one should test Turkey's determination to protect its territory and the lives of Turks,” said Yılmaz.
Prime Minister Davutoğlu slammed the opposition on Monday for criticizing the government for withdrawing from the Turkish territory in Syria, saying the night of the withdrawal operation was an honor for the Turkish government and that the opposition's remarks would go down in history as being utterly shameful.
In his remarks at a ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) gathering in Ankara, Davutoğlu said that he followed the reactions from the opposition with astonishment.
“There are some moments when nations are tested. The stances taken during these moments will be marks of honor or black marks that a government will carry forever. The night linking Saturday to Sunday was a night of honor for us. But the comments that the opposition made on Sunday were black marks that will go down in history,” Davutoğlu said.
The prime minister accused the opposition of using the same language as the Syrian regime and “foreign actors” -- a phrase he didn't elaborate on -- instead of praising this “page in history.”
During his address, Davutoğlu said the Turkish military had displayed its success to the world with the operation and that Ankara did not seek permission or assistance from any country or group.
“We don't [need to] ask permission for an operation conducted to protect our rights regarding international law, our nation and our historical heritage. We don't [need to] ask for help or support from anywhere,” Davutoğlu said.
Prime Minister Davutoğlu slammed the opposition on Monday for criticizing the government for withdrawing from the Turkish territory in Syria, saying the night of the withdrawal operation was an honor for the Turkish government and that the opposition's remarks would go down in history as being utterly shameful.
In his remarks at a ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) gathering in Ankara, Davutoğlu said that he followed the reactions from the opposition with astonishment.
“There are some moments when nations are tested. The stances taken during these moments will be marks of honor or black marks that a government will carry forever. The night linking Saturday to Sunday was a night of honor for us. But the comments that the opposition made on Sunday were black marks that will go down in history,” Davutoğlu said.
The prime minister accused the opposition of using the same language as the Syrian regime and “foreign actors” -- a phrase he didn't elaborate on -- instead of praising this “page in history.”
During his address, Davutoğlu said the Turkish military had displayed its success to the world with the operation and that Ankara did not seek permission or assistance from any country or group.
“We don't [need to] ask permission for an operation conducted to protect our rights regarding international law, our nation and our historical heritage. We don't [need to] ask for help or support from anywhere,” Davutoğlu said.
However, the Taraf daily also reported on Monday that the military operation was launched in cooperation with the US. According to Taraf, the US has been working on creating an energy corridor to transport Iraqi and Syrian oil and has been asking Turkey for the last 11 months to move the tomb to another place in Syria. After Turkey accepted the US plan, the US and YPG assisted Turkey in the operation, the report claimed.
In the meantime, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu talked with US Secretary of State John Kerry, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, Danish Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal on Sunday, informing them about Turkey's military operation, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
In the meantime, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu talked with US Secretary of State John Kerry, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, Danish Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal on Sunday, informing them about Turkey's military operation, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
According to the Hürriyet daily, Kerry expressed his condolences over the death of a soldier in an accident during Turkey's military operation. Turkish soldier Halit Avcı died during the operation on Sunday due to a heavy tank lid hitting his head while he attempted to film the operation. “The US and Turkey are in close and ongoing coordination on developments in Syria, including intelligence and information sharing,” said a senior US State Department official on Sunday, the Hürriyet reported.
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Yalova deputy Muharrem İnce mocked the government on Monday saying that for a change he will congratulate the government, this time for the military operation to “give up” Turkish territory. He said running away also requires bravery and the government was very brave to abandon the Süleyman Şah tomb. He also criticized the government for attempting to turn this abandonment into a public relations tactic.
HDP co-chairman, Selahattin Demirtaş, also criticized the government, saying that the government's presentation of the military operation as a “victory” is not right.
“As we have seen once again on the Süleyman Şah issue, the government's Syrian policy has been built on faulty foreign policies,” said Demirtaş, speaking to journalists on Monday. He also criticized the government for not taking a clear position against ISIL as they are a threat to Turkey.
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Yalova deputy Muharrem İnce mocked the government on Monday saying that for a change he will congratulate the government, this time for the military operation to “give up” Turkish territory. He said running away also requires bravery and the government was very brave to abandon the Süleyman Şah tomb. He also criticized the government for attempting to turn this abandonment into a public relations tactic.
HDP co-chairman, Selahattin Demirtaş, also criticized the government, saying that the government's presentation of the military operation as a “victory” is not right.
“As we have seen once again on the Süleyman Şah issue, the government's Syrian policy has been built on faulty foreign policies,” said Demirtaş, speaking to journalists on Monday. He also criticized the government for not taking a clear position against ISIL as they are a threat to Turkey.
“It is clear now that ISIL is in a position to threaten Turkey. I believe it will be even a bigger threat to Turkey from now on. The Turkish government should take a healthy stand against ISIL,” said Demirtaş.
In the meantime, a source from the Turkish Foreign Ministry told Today's Zaman on Monday that the Turkish General Staff had last year suggested that government officials evacuate the tomb due to the threat of ISIL and plant landmines around the tomb after withdrawing the Turkish troops.
In the meantime, a source from the Turkish Foreign Ministry told Today's Zaman on Monday that the Turkish General Staff had last year suggested that government officials evacuate the tomb due to the threat of ISIL and plant landmines around the tomb after withdrawing the Turkish troops.
According to the source, Turkish General Staff officials told the government that there was a risk of ISIL invading the tomb and that if it happened Turkey would have to get involved in a war inside Syria, which could become a protracted ordeal.
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