Seeking green light for operation against Kurds, Türkiye faces backlash from allies in Syria

• After his Sochi visit, President Erdoğan implied that Putin would give the green light to Türkiye for a new military operation in Syria if Ankara reconciled with Damascus

• Pro-government media reported that Erdoğan may have a phone call with Assad

• Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu revealed that he had a short meeting with his Syrian counterpart last year, and said, "we must somehow make the opposition and the regime come to terms" for "lasting peace"

• These remarks caused a backlash from Türkiye's allies in northwestern Syria, with widespread protests in several cities

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on August 12 revealed that he had a meeting with his Syrian counterpart in October during a Non-Aligned Movement summit in Belgrade in what was the highest-level contact between Ankara and Damascus in a decade.

"While I was chatting with other ministers, I had a quick word with the Syrian foreign minister as well," he said in an address to Türkiye's ambassadors in Ankara. "We must somehow make the opposition and the regime in Syria come to terms. Otherwise, there will be no lasting peace."

Çavuşoğlu's remarks triggered widespread protests in northwestern Syria, in the towns directly controlled by Türkiye and its allied groups, as well as the Idlib province, the jihadist stronghold where Türkiye also has a significant military presence.

In the towns of Azaz, Jarablus, Atarib and al-Rai in the north of the Aleppo province, hundreds of people took to the streets with "Free Syrian Army" flags, chanting slogans against reconciliation with the Assad government, videos circulating on social media showed.

In Azaz, protesters burned flags of Türkiye and vandalized the "Ottoman Nation's Park." There were also videos showing protesters throwing rocks at Türkiye's military outposts.

A day after the incidents, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tanju Bilgiç clarified the minister's statement, saying that Türkiye has fully supported the opposition in the Geneva and Astana processes for a political solution to the crisis.

"Currently, this process is not processing due to the reluctance of the regime. The statements Mr. Minister made yesterday also point to this," he said in a written statement.

However, the minister's statement didn't seem to be the only reason for the protests.

Read more: 

• Erdoğan once again hints at Syria offensive for 30-kilometer deep buffer zone

• Putin, Raisi reiterate commitment to Syria's territorial integrity as Erdoğan vows to fight YPG

• US officials express concern over Turkey's plans for a new Syria offensive

• Assad says Syria will 'resist Turkey' in case of a military incursion

Following his visit to Vladimir Putin in Sochi on August 5, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan implied that Russia might Türkiye the green light for a new military operation in the Kurdish-controlled parts of northern Syria if it re-established relations with Damascus.

"[Putin] states that he will always be with us in the fight against terrorism. He implies to us, 'It would be much more accurate if you prefer to solve these [issues] with the regime.'

"And we say that our intelligence organization and the Syrian intelligence are already dealing with these issues, but the entire point is getting a result."

A few days later, pro-government daily Türkiye reported that a Gulf country had been mediating between Ankara and Damascus, and Erdoğan and Assad might have a phone conversation as a result of those efforts.

At the Sochi meeting, Erdoğan offered his counterpart to carry out a joint military offensive with Iran and Syria in the Kurdish-controlled areas, the newspaper claimed, without specifying its sources.

The report was widely cited by media outlets in the Arabic countries, and increased the dissatisfaction of the Syrian armed groups with Türkiye's policies, Hediye Levent, a journalist specializing on the region, said on her YouTube channel.

"There are worries among the FSA ranks that Türkiye may agree with Damascus and 'sell' them," she said.

Whether Erdoğan will be able to get the green light for a new offensive remains to be seen, but last week's protests showed that if Türkiye were to change its policies in Syria, it will not be without resistance from its affiliated factions.

Human rights

Constitutional Court admits Aysel Tuğluk's condition may worsen, but refuses to order her release The imprisoned Kurdish politician, who has been diagnosed with dementia was forced to defend herself in the Kobanî trial, where 108 HDP members are facing aggravated life sentences. The high court on August 12 rejected an application for her release, but issued an injunction order for the "necessary measures for the protection of the life and material and spiritual integrity of the applicant."  

Killed Gezi protester's family to be paid damages, officer to be retried, rules top court The Constitutional Court ruled that the prohibition of torture was violated, but found no violation of the right to life in the case of Ali İsmail Korkmaz, who died after being beaten by police officers and civilians during the 2013 protests. 

'My only crime is being a Peace Mother' The arrested Kurdish journalist Remziye Temel wrote a letter to bianet about her ward mate Şefika Kandar, a Peace Mother convicted of "terrorism." 

Killed PKK member's body not given to family for five years The father of the militant said he had traveled from his hometown of Van to Diyarbakır eight times but was unable to receive his son's body despite all attempts. 

METU students defy rector to hold graduation ceremony at 'Revolution' stadium Students held their own graduation ceremonies at the Devrim (Revolution) Stadium despite a ban by the rector for "security reasons." They paraded on the stadium's track while displaying banners with messages about social and political issues, as they traditionally do. "Our hands are not free enough to write what comes to our minds," read a banner. "Let the TurkStat calculate our grade point averages," read another one, mocking the country's statistical authority, whose figures are widely disputed. Located in the capital of Ankara, METU is one of the most prestigious universities of Türkiye with a history of 76 years.

Freedom of expression

Lawsuit against bianet over report on Erdoğan's former lawyer The report concerns bribery allegations against a former lawyer for President Erdoğan. bianet's former editor-in-chief is charged with insult and slander.

One of Türkiye's longest-running rock festivals banned 'to protect public security' The Zeytinli Rock Festival has become the latest example of the increasing bans on concerts and festivals over the past couple of years. Days before the order, a pro-government NGO had called for the cancellation of the festival. 

Journalists investigating Türkiye's plastic waste imports 'threatened with gun' "Facing an incident of violence does not prevent me from doing my job. But it caused me to worry about the future," said one of the journalists. 

Threats against journalists MP Cemal Enginyurt and his "bodyguard" attacked a journalist following an argument during a live TV program. While the bodyguard was remanded in custody, prosecutors are also investigating the MP. The Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released a statement denouncing "ultranationalist threats" on journalists.  

İstanbul prosecutors investigate Spotify over playlists 'insulting religious values' "The songs that Recep Tayyip Erdoğan listens to while drinking raki" and "The songs that Allah was listening to when he expelled Adam from paradise" are among the playlists that were subject to complaints. 

Arrest of 16 Kurdish journalists to continue The judgeship has carried out the monthly evaluation of the arrest of the journalists who were remanded in custody in June on "terrorism" charges. 

Repair work begins on Balıklı Rum Hospital The historical hospital operated by Türkiye's Rum minority was severely damaged after the fire on August 4. There was no damage in the building's load-bearing elements and the hospital is planned to become operational by year-end, according to the authorities. (Photo: AA) 

LGBTI+

Trans prisoner Buse still in men's prison despite completing gender affirmation surgery After years of struggle, Buse, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment, finally completed her gender affirmation surgery. "I will continue my life as a woman, but I am in a prison where men stay. I expect the court to issue the required verdict so that I can get my new identity card," she said. 

Environment

Satellite images show extent of deforestation in Şırnak Tree felling has been continuing in Şırnak for "security reasons" for about three years. Locals complain about the inaction of the authorities. 

EU database shows drastic increase in pesticide findings in food imported from Türkiye Some 259 notifications were submitted to the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed in the first half of the year. 

Labor & economy

More than 1,000 workers killed on the job in 2022 At least 169 workers were killed on the job in July, according to the Health and Safety Labor Watch.

Seventy percent of İstanbulites 'can't buy food they want' Over 43.6 percent said they were not able to make ends meet, and 25.1 percent said they had to borrow money because they could not cover their expenses, according to the survey by the municipality. 

Türkiye's broad unemployment rate over 20 percent in June, according to TurkStat The narrow unemployment rate was estimated at 10.3 percent with a 0.3 percentage point decrease compared to the previous month. 

(VK)