Turkey ‘Puts Its Territorial Integrity at Risk’ By Siding with Saudi Arabia

Turkey could well find itself in a state of “frightening loneliness” in the international arena due to Ankara’s “reckless” foreign policy initiatives, MevlütDudu of Turkey’s Republican People’s Party (CHP) told Sputnik.

Turkey’s foreign policy has “caused tensions between Ankara and all of its allies,” including the US, European countries and Middle Eastern nations, the lawmaker noted. In his opinion, a particularly bad foreign policy strategy involves the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) joining forces with Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

“The AKP has indicated that it is coordinating a possible ground operation in Syria with Saudi Arabia. No details of this cooperation have been released, but Saudi planes have apparently been deployed to Turkey’s Incirlik air base,” he detailed.

The oil kingdom has already confirmed that Riyadh was ready to send conventional troops or special operations forces to Syria if the US-led coalition decides to launch a ground offensive. Turkey has also indicated that it could send its Armed Forces to Syria allegedly to fight Daesh, although both countries have supported terrorist groups, who are trying to overthrow Bashar al-Assad.

Dudu maintains that this could spell trouble for Turkey.

“The United States is openly supporting the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and has made clear that should Turkey accidentally clash with Russia, Washington will not provide any assistance to Ankara. NATO has also indicated that the North Atlantic Alliance will stand aback if Turkey gets into trouble,” the lawmaker observed.

Turkish artillery fire from the border near Kilis town toward northern Syria, in Kilis, Turkey.

It follows then that should Turkey launch a large-scale military operation in Syria, Ankara will be all by itself. Duda also noted that the AKP is not authorized to carry out a military campaign across the border.

“By joining Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the Turkish authorities are playing roulette. Turkey’s territorial integrity, security and national interests are at stake,” he explained. “If something goes wrong, Riyadh and Doha will lose less than Turkey.”

M.Wassouf