Screws tighten on Gray Wolves, Erdogan’s European guard
France’s decision to outlaw the Gray Wolves marks a new milestone in Erdogan’s showdown with Europe over Turkish migrant groups, which he uses as a tool to advance his political agenda.
Tensions between Turkey and France, stoked by the French government’s plans to tackle “Islamist separatism,” are spilling over to Austria and Germany as Turkish Islamist and nationalist groups in Europe, mobilized by Ankara, are coming under tighter scrutiny.
As France reeled from a string of terrorist attacks in late October, Turks in France staged nationalist demonstrations to the backdrop of clashes between Azerbaijan, a close ally of Turkey, and Armenia. Tensions flared after several Turks were injured in an altercation with protesters from France’s Armenian community near Vienne. A Turkish demonstration in Lyon’s district of Decines — known as “Little Armenia” — further alarmed the government as participants hurled insults and threats against Armenians.
