Ankara's Neo-Ottoman Ambition: A 'One-Sided Stance'

There are several dismal signs that indicate that Ankara's strategy in Syria and Iraq has taken a wrong turn, political analyst Dogu Ergil told Sputnik Turkey.

In an interview with Sputnik Turkiye, political analyst Dogu Ergil cited a number of alarming signs that he said underscore the flaws of Ankara's policy towards Syria and Iraq.

The interview came after Russia and Syria expressed concern over the Turkish Air Force's recent strikes on positions of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).

Tehran, in turn, lodged a protest against a statement by Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, who attributed the quarrel between Ankara and Baghdad over the Bashiqa military base in northern Iraq to "Iran's ethnically and religiously oriented policy."

A Turkish army tank and an armored vehicle are stationed near the border with Syria, in Karkamis, Turkey, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016

© AP Photo / IHA via AP

"The Turkish government considers itself the successor of the Ottoman Empire, declaring that it has a 'historical right' to act in the region as if these areas are still part of the empire. This is a one-sided stance," Dogu Ergil said.

According to him, Ankara should understand that the people living in the region do not want to once again fall under the authority "of the Ottoman sultan" and become part of the revived empire.

"Instead they want Turkey to contribute to the resolution of regional problems and take part in the negotiations rather than claim these territories as its protectorates," he added.

Ergil warned that Ankara's erstwhile empire-building may fuel new tensions in the region.

"Ankara's reluctance to recognize the current Syrian authorities damages Turkey's own legitimacy. By signaling its readiness to change the borders in the region, Turkey calls into question the inviolability of its own borders," he said.

Commenting on Ankara's desire to take part in the military operation in Mosul, he said that "this is not the kind of rhetoric that can be used at the state level."

"Turkey can enter Syria and Iraq. But it's unclear whether Turkey will have enough strength in order to achieve long-term results and preserve our positions. This is a very controversial issue," Ergil pointed out.

According to him, it's also unclear "whether Turkey wants to contribute to the maintenance and development of the ethnic and religious diversity that distinguishes the region as a whole, or seek to impose its own political, ethnic and religious preferences."

"If the choice is made in favor of the second option, it may lead to the escalation of the current conflict and the emergence of new hotbeds of tension in the region," he said.

He also lamented the fact that Turkey concentrates more on launching strikes against the YPG than Daesh (ISIL/ISIS) terrorists, something that he said can be explained by the fact that the Kurdish problem hadn't duly been resolved.

"If you ask me to describe the political situation around Turkey's southern borders, I will answer you in one word: uncertainty," he said, adding that Ankara should realize the fact that the Kurdish forces' political presence will be in place in the region indefinitely.