Turkey’s 'strategic depth' in Syria

The controversy around Turkish military intrusion into Syria to remove the alleged sanctuary of Suleiman Shah, the grandfather of the founder of the Ottoman Empire continues. The 8,797-square-meter (94,690-square-foot) piece of land that the tomb was constructed on is considered as Turkish national territory according to the Turco-French Treaty of 1921 and the Treaty of Lausanne of 1923, the legal basis of the Republic of Turkey, also an international law document of historical importance.

Thus, the removal of Suleiman Shah’s tomb triggered unprecedented polemics between nationalists of the opposition Nationalist Action Party (MHP) and the president, prime minister and chief of staff the Turkish Armed Forces. The chairman of the MHP, Devlet Bahceli, uncharacteristically directed his criticism at the military establishment, particularly Gen. Necdet Ozer, indicating the chief of staff was being subservient to the ruling party and had no notion of what “motherland” meant.