ERDOGAN KILLING KURDS TO ATTRACT VOTES

RECENT times have seen Turkish journalists, including the likes of Can Dündar, who is a recipient of the Golden Pen of Freedom award, allude to the actions of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in conducting a recent operation with the aim of strengthening his authority in domestic politics.

Despite the June 24 re-election which terminated 25 years of AKP rule in Istanbul, Erdogan managed to mobilise the support of opposition parties for the military Operation Peace Spring on October 9.

This operation was carried out with the intent to eliminate Kurdish groups from north-eastern Syria, thereby creating a safe zone along the border.

The Syrian conflict provided Erdogan with the significant opportunity to promote his Islamist ideology.

During the first Gulf war, the US, together with Britain as well as many other European states, formed the biggest military alliance since World War II, with Saudi Arabia and Egypt also supporting this alliance.

The second Gulf War saw America challenge Saddam Hussein.

The Syrian conflict, however, has proven more complex, as jihadists from all over the world gathered in Syria, with new players such as Russia, Iran and Turkey entering the game.

Russia has since gained a massive military advantage in the region.

In order to solidify his leadership in the Islamic world by creating a ‘Caliph of Islam’ image, Erdogan has supported the jihadist groups in Turkey, as well as involve the Turkish army in this conflict.

When the Syrian conflict erupted, Erdogan confirmed that he would perform the Jumma prayer in the Damascus Mosque, indicating that Erdogan may believe that the conquest of Damascus would ensure him his sought-after position as ‘Caliph’.

Whilst Syria possesses no mineral resources, the country holds religious and historical significance as the first major city of the Eastern Roman Empire conquered by Muslims.