Turkey, alarmed by sectarian clashes, steps up Syria role, criticizes Iran
As last week’s bloody clashes in Syria have deepened divisions among Turkish experts over the country's future, Turkey’s priorities in Syria remain focused on countering the SDF and combating ISIS.
As Syria grappled with violent clashes between Sunni armed factions and the Alawite minority leaving more than 1,000 killed this month, the majority of whom are Alawite civilians, Turkey moved to ramp up its support for Syria's new government, framing the unrest as a product of "foreign interference."
Suspecting Iran and Israel played a role in fueling the conflict, Ankara intensified its political, military and intelligence engagement to stabilize Syria under the leadership of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Last Thursday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and national intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin made a surprise visit to Damascus.
"This is a historical responsibility for us," Fidan told TV100 Friday after the visit. "It is important to provide Syria with all necessary support in a professional manner."
Turkey framed the March 6-10 clashes as an attempt by Iran and Israel to weaken Sharaa’s government, but it has not provided evidence to implicate either country.
