Turkey shot down Russian bomber over Syria

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German former CDU politician and Vice-President of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Willy Wimmer told Sputnik Deutschland that he fears NATO involvement in the downing of Russia's Su-24 bomber over Syria last November.

US & Saudi Arabia 'Involved in Turkey's Downing of Russian Su-24' in Syria (Video)
http://sputniknews.com/world/20160729/1043762151/su24-downing-nato-saudi-involvement.html

NATO was involved in last year's downing of Russia's Su-24 bomber in Syrian airspace, Willy Wimmer, former Vice-President of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), told Sputnik Deutschland on Friday.

On November 24 2015 Turkish jets downed a Russian Su-24 bomber carrying out anti-terror operations in Syria. The plane's two co-pilots parachuted from the plane but one of them, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Peshkov, was shot and killed by suspected Turkmen militants operating in Syria.

The incident caused a major diplomatic dispute between Turkey and Russia; the former said the bomber was shot for infringing Turkish airspace, but Russia maintains the Su-24 did not enter Turkish airspace, and was carrying out an anti-Daesh mission in Syria when it was downed.

The downing had been interpreted as a unilateral decision by Turkey, but Willy Wimmer contends that in fact, NATO and Saudi forces were involved in the incident.

"According to my information, Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft from the US and Saudi Arabia were involved," Wimmer said.

"Aircraft like that Russian Su-24 bomber are not that easy to just shoot out of the sky. You need to take aim, and you can only do that with AWACS aircraft."

The two AWACS planes involved in the incident took off from a US base on Cyprus, and an airbase in Saudi Arabia respectively, Wimmer said. He explained that according to NATO guidelines, if a plane is believed to be violating another country's airspace then contact should made with the appropriate flight control center to draw the pilot's attention to the error.

In peacetime, the most a military aircraft is allowed to do is to force a stray aircraft to make an emergency landing.

"What happened there does not comply with international regulations in any way. They brought the Russian plane down because they wanted to," Wimmer said.

Wimmer believes that the motivation for enabling the otherwise inexplicable attack, was a desire on the part of Turkey's allies to spoil diplomatic relations between Turkey and Russia.

"It must be assumed that if somebody breaks international rules, then political interests are at stake. This was about destroying the relations between the Turkish Republic and the Russian Federation, which were blossoming (back) then," the politician said.

"Last year the construction of the South Stream pipeline (from Russia) through the EU was stopped because of American pressure. A few weeks later, Russia and Turkey successfully created a replacement, the Turkish Stream. Of course, that was diametrically opposed to the Americans' sanctions politics against Russia. The reaction of the Americans can be interpreted accordingly," Wimmer believes.

Last month Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrote a letter of apology to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the downing of the Su-24. The Turkish President said that Turkey "never had a desire or a deliberate intention to down an aircraft belonging to Russia," and expressed his deep sympathy and condolences to the relatives of the deceased Russian pilot.

 

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The Turkish Foreign Ministry demands that the European Union provide immediate Visa-free entry throughout the Eurozone or Ankara will back away from a deal to stem the flow of migrants.

Turkey-EU Refugee Deal Dead as Ankara Demands Visa-Free Travel or They Walk
http://sputniknews.com/news/20160731/1043812617/turkey-erdogan-merkel-refugees-migrants.html

On Sunday, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told German daily newspaper Frankfurther Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) that "if there is no visa liberalization, we will be forced to distance ourselves from the (migrant) readmission agreement."

The Minister also required the European Union to provide a set time for visa-free entry saying that "it can be the beginning or the middle of October, but we expect a firm date."

The agreement for Turkey to take in as many as 1 million additional Syrian refugees in return for substantial financial compensation and a fast-track approach to the country’s accession into the European Union has long rested on the issue of Visa-Free travel for Turkish citizens.

Conditions on the ground have fundamentally changed since the agreement was first penned on March 18 at the behest of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, herself under siege by domestic opposition to her “open door” policy that has seen some 2 million war refugees flood into the country.

Since the agreement, Turkey has faced a number of major security incidents including the terror attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport and the failed coup attempt of July 15. Europe’s mood towards cooperation with Turkey, which was already a good deal wanting, has all but collapsed in the wake of the post-coup purge that has seen over 60,000 soldiers, police officers, teachers, and judges forced to resign from their positions.

Additionally, some 18,000 individuals have been arrested in the aftermath of the coup and have been forced to reside in prison conditions that have raised alarms for international human rights groups.

The situation between the West and Ankara has further devolved in recent weeks with the Erdogan regime bombarding the United States and NATO forces with repeated claims that they aided and abetted purported coup leader US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen.

At the time of the agreement, former British Prime Minister David Cameron scoffed at the notion that Turkish residents would receive visa-free travel and EU membership asserting that they would not be prepared to be a part of the European Union for at least another thousand years.

In the wake of the coup, the security situation inside of Turkey is such that the cost-benefit for Europe of admitting Turkish residents without a visa requirement has fundamentally shifted with the EU bound to worry whether opening their border to Ankara may, in fact, increase the threat of terror.

 

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Russian and Turkish presidents will discuss the compensation of the Su-24 jet downing at the upcoming meeting.

Putin, Erdogan to Discuss Turkey Compensating Russia for Downed Jet on Aug. 9
http://sputniknews.com/world/20160805/1043974261/putin-erdogan-meeting-su24.html

Turkey has yet to compensate Russia for the downed Su-24 jet and this issue is expected to be discussed at the upcoming meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Friday.

"They have not repaid it — this issue will also be discussed [at the meeting between Putin and Erdogan]," Ushakov said.

The two presidents are expected to have talks on Tuesday in Russia's St. Petersburg. It will be their first meeting since Moscow-Ankara relations deteriorated in November 2015 in the wake of Turkey's downing of a Russian attack aircraft over Syria.

Co-chairman of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party said that Ankara should make amends with Syrian President Bashar Assad especially since it has made concessions to normalize relations with Moscow and Tel Aviv.

Turkey Urged to Mend Ties With Assad After Making Peace With Israel, Russia
http://sputniknews.com/world/20160805/1043972200/turkey-syria-russia-israel-ties.html

Ankara should make amends with Syrian President Bashar Assad especially since it has made concessions to normalize relations with Moscow and Tel Aviv, Salih Muslim, co-chairman of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), told Sputnik.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the ruling Justice and Development Party] made peace with Russia and Israel. Now it’s turn to make peace with Assad," Muslim said in an interview.

He added that mended relations between Turkey and Syria would not affect the Kurds, as the ethnic minority does not relying on anyone’s support.

The next meeting of the High-Level Russian-Turkish Cooperation Council may by scheduled at 2017, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Friday.

Russia, Turkey May Agree to Hold Next High-Level Cooperation Council in 2017
http://sputniknews.com/world/20160805/1043976600/ushakov-putin-russia-erdogan.html

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan may agree to schedule the next meeting of the High-Level Russian-Turkish Cooperation Council for 2017 at their upcoming meeting, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Friday.

He added that the Council is headed by the two countries' presidents and that it includes "literally all" the key ministers who are responsible for the development of bilateral ties.

According to Ushakov, the place and exact date for the Council meeting will be agreed through the respective diplomatic offices after the two presidents talk, yet it is "obvious" that it will be held in Moscow, since the last Council meeting was held in Turkey in December 2014.

Forthcoming discussions between Russian and Turkish presidents on the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project may promote its implementation.

Putin-Erdogan Talks Could Give Impetus to Turkish Stream Project
http://sputniknews.com/world/20160805/1043969236/russia-turkey-presidents-gas.html

Upcoming discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s on the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project may give impetus to implementing this and other energy projects, Turkish Ambassador to Russia Umit Yardim said Friday.

“At the moment, the parties have not started the formal part, the signing of documents. I do not know in what context the Turkish Stream will be discussed on August 9, but of course energy issues and these projects will be discussed,” Yardim told RIA Novosti in an interview.

The diplomat voiced confidence that the meeting between the two leaders in St. Petersburg “will give additional impetus not only on the Turkish Stream project, but all areas of our cooperation.”

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has condemned Austria as the "capital of radical racism" after Chancellor Christian Kern urged the European Union to halt membership talks with Turkey following Ankara's crackdown in the wake of the failed July 15 coup attempt.

Austria is capital of radical racism, Turkish FM says
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/08/05/478587/Turkey-FM-Mevlut-Cavusoglu-Austria-radical-racism-Chancellor-Christian-Kern

“The Austrian chancellor should first take a look at his own country. One of the trends that is an enemy of human rights and values is racism and today Austria is the capital of radical racism,” he said in an interview with TGRT Haber television news network on Friday.

He also dismissed Kern's comments as “ugly.”

On Wednesday, the Austrian chancellor slammed the Ankara government for the widespread purges of state institutions and a sweeping crackdown that have followed the botched putsch, stating that Turkey cannot be part of the EU over what he termed as democratic and economic shortfalls.

Cavusoglu further argued on Friday that Brussels is not fulfilling its commitments under the March 18 refugee deal, which obliges Ankara to take back Syrian refugees landing on Greek islands, in exchange for visa-free travel for Turkish nationals, billions of euros in aid, and accelerated EU accession talks. The accord went into effect two days later.

The German foreign minister says Berlin-Ankara ties have become so strained after the failed military coup in Turkey that there is virtually “no basis” for negotiations between the two sides.

No basis for talks with Turkey after coup: German FM
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/08/05/478538/Germany-Trukey-relations-refugee-crisis-coup-FrankWalter-Steinmeier

Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Thursday that the government in Berlin has serious concerns about mass arrests that have been carried out by Ankara after the thwarted coup on July 15.

“We are talking with each other like emissaries from two different planets. There is essentially no basis for understanding ... no basis for discussions,” the top German diplomat said.

In return, Turkey says Germany has not taken the coup attempt seriously. The Ankara government has also been angered by media reports in the European country suggesting the coup was actually orchestrated by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Steinmeier said, “We must be allowed to ask if mass arrests of tens of thousands of lawyers, judges, journalists, soldiers, closure of broadcast stations and shutdowns of newspaper - were carried out under the rule of law.”

He also said the reinstatement of the death penalty in Turkey would prevent its entry into the European Union.

Analysts say the EU-Turkey standoff could endanger a deal they signed in March on curbing the influx of refugees into Europe.

Steinmeier, however, stressed that Ankara and Berlin would continue to implement the refugee deal, under which Turkey has committed to taking back all the asylum seekers and refugees that used the Aegean Sea to illegally reach Greece.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has threatened to withdraw from the agreement.

 

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Erdogan confirms that Arpaslan Celik, killer of SU-24 pilot, is behind bars
http://tvzvezda.ru/news/vstrane_i_mire/content/201608081249-u0on.htm

 

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In an interview with Sputnik, Turkish political expert and President of the Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies, Suleyman Sensoy, commented on the upcoming meeting between Russian President Putin and Turkish President Erdogan in St. Petersburg and the main problems that may stand in the way of resuming the Turkish Stream project.

Turkish Stream to 'Bring Beneficial Geo-Economic Changes' to Russia, Turkey
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160808/1044067488/turkish-stream-beneficial.html

During the meeting on August 9, the leaders of Turkey and Russia plan to discuss large-scale projects, including the Turkish Stream.

"This project would bring quite radical geo-economic changes, beneficial for both Russia and Turkey. Therefore, one must persistently and jointly work on the successful implementation of this project," the expert said.

According to Sensoy, each project has its supporters and critics. Turkish Stream is no exception.

In geostrategic terms, each large-scale energy project involves those who benefit from its implementation, and those who lose. With Turkish Stream, it is the same way. There are countries which would gain many benefits from this project, but there are also those states which are unwilling to implement it due to the fact that it can reduce the possibility of the diversification of energy supplies. And that's fine. It is normal economic competition. But it is important that all parties react to this competition in a constructive way," Sensoy stated.

On August 8, Erdogan announced that there are no obstacles to the implementation of the project.

"We are ready to immediately take steps towards the realization of this project, discuss it and make a corresponding decision. There are no obstacles to that," Turkey's President said.

However, Sensoy believes that Turkish Stream is unlikely to be implemented this year.

Ankara and several European countries are seeking to find a way to ease Washington's sanctions on Sudan as they hurt economic relations with the African country, Turkey's ambassador said.

Turkey Working With Europe to Help Lift US Anti-Sudan Sanctions
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160808/1044049296/turkey-us-sudan-sanctions.html

Turkey and a number of European countries are discussing ways to ease US economic sanctions against Sudan in order to open the country for investment, Turkish Ambassador to Sudan Cemalettin Aydin told Sputnik Monday.

"One of the reasons behind the lack of Turkish investments in Sudan is linked to the difficulties caused by the US embargo. We are talking with a range of European countries, also suffering from this, about convincing the United States to ease the pressure on Sudan," Aydin said.

Turkish investments in Sudan currently amount to some $600 million, while trade between the two countries grew 40 percent in 2015 and reached $450 million, he added.

Washington imposed economic, trade and financial restrictions on Khartoum in 1997 on accusations of state support for terrorism, destabilizing neighboring states and violating human rights. The US extended the sanctions regime a decade later over the Darfur conflict.

In July, Sudanese presidential aide Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid told Sputnik that the country was in talks with the United States on an agreement to lift the sanctions in exchange for cooperation in combating terrorism and illegal migration.

Austria has stepped up its war of words with Turkey, with the country's Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz saying he would oppose any steps that would bring Turkey closer to EU membership.

Austria to Bloc Turkey's EU Accession as Tension Builds Over Migrant Deal
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160808/1044048016/austria-block-turkey-eu-accession.html

Turkey's long-stalled EU application is thought to still be some way off becoming a reality, however Kurz said he would reject the opening of further negotiating chapters that could potentially see Turkey move a step closer to joining the bloc.

"I have a say in the matter on the [European] Council of Foreign Ministers, where it will be decided if a new chapter will be opened with Turkey, and I am opposed to it," he told the Kurier daily newspaper.

EU rules state that decisions taken by the council must be agreed upon unanimously.

Increase in Austrian Criticism

The latest development comes amid an increase in Austrian criticism towards Turkey over President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's reaction to last month's failed coup, which has seen thousands of army officials, academics and teachers arrested.

In particular, Erdogan's threat to re-introduce the death penalty has led to warnings from European leaders, who say such a move would jeopardize Turkey's EU accession.

Reflecting the tensions between Vienna and Ankara, Austrian Defense Minister Hans-Peter Doskozil described Turkey as a "dictatorship," while Heinz-Christrian Strache, the leader of Austria's far-right Freedom Party, compared the current crackdown on the media and opposition in Turkey to the purges committed by the Nazi Party in Germany, following the Reichstag fire of 1933.

Concerns Over Migrant Deal

The tension between Turkey and some EU countries has led to concerns that the migration deal negotiated between the two parties could ultimately be scrapped.

Erdogan renewed threats to pull out of the deal, saying the migration agreement "will not be possible" if the EU does not grant visa-free travel to Turkish citizens.

"The European Union is not behaving in a sincere manner with Turkey," Erdogan told French newspaper Le Monde.

​"If our demands our not satisfied then the readmissions will no longer be possible," he added.

While EU officials had set July 1 as the timeline for Turkish visa liberalization, such a development was based on a series of conditions, with EU officials arguing that Turkey's anti-terror laws need to be adjusted before any visa changes can be made.

 

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The compensation for the Russian plane Turkey downed in November was not discussed during the meeting of the presidents of two countries in an expanded format, Russian Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said Tuesday.

Compensation for Downing Su-24 Not Discussed at Expanded Putin-Erdogan Talks
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160809/1044100474/su24-compensation-erdogan-putin.html

Ulyukayev spoke to reporters shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who arrived in St. Petersburg for first talks to reset bilateral relations after the November 2015 downing of a Russian aircraft by Turkey.

"[The issue of compensation] was not voiced where I was taking part, in the expanded format," Ulyukayev told reporters.

The meeting in Russia’s Saint Petersburg was focused on the restoration of relations with Turkey, as Ankara and Moscow ended months of strained relations in late June when Erdogan wrote a letter to Putin, in which he apologized shooting down a Russian bomber over Syria in November.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press-conference with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday that Ankara has made a positive decision to resume the projects of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant and the Turkish Stream gas pipeline. Erdogan confirmed the initiatives.

Putin: Ankara Makes Positive Decision on Resuming Akkuyu, Turkish Stream
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160809/1044094924/putin-ankara-akkuyu-stream.html

"We have discussed major joint projects in the fields of energy whose resumption require political decisions. The Turkish side has already taken corresponding decisions on the Akkuyu nuclear power plant construction and the Turkish Stream gas pipeline," Putin said.

Russia and Turkey signed an agreement to construct and operate Turkey’s first nuclear power plant at the Akkuyu site in the Turkish southern Mersin Province in May 2010. The plant is expected to produce about 35 billion kilowatt-hours per year.

Speaking after Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, Erdogan outlined a list of areas of cooperation where Ankara is eager to engage in cooperation.

“I would like to emphasize that we are willing to provide strategic investment status to the Akkuyu project, and we have just reached an understanding on this issue with President Putin. We also intend to promote cooperation in the area of defense industry and defense production,” he stressed.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press-conference with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday that Moscow and Ankara are determined to find compromise on the Syrian reconciliation.

Putin: Russia, Turkey Determined to Find Compromise on Syrian Peace Process
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160809/1044096153/putin-russia-turkey-syria.html

We have a common goal which is the Syrian crisis settlement. Considering this common approach, this platform, we will look for common solutions," Putin said.

Turkey will stop fulfilling its obligations under the deal with the European Union, if Brussels does not set the date for the lifting of visa regime, Turkish EU Affairs Minister Omer Celik said on Tuesday.

Turkey to Decline Migrant Deal With EU Unless Bloc Sets Date of Visa Lifting
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160809/1044091666/turkey-eu-visa-migrants.html

In May, the European Commission recommended that the European Parliament vote on visa-free regime for Turkey once the country met all 72 conditions required by Brussels, notably those related to data protection and anti-terrorism laws, among other issues.

Changes to the anti-terrorism laws, on which Brussels insists, will jeopardize EU safety as well, Celik said in an interview with Haberturk television.

In March, the European Union and Ankara agreed on a deal, under which Turkey pledged to take back all undocumented migrants who arrive in the European Union through its territory in exchange for Syrian refugees accommodated in Turkey, on a one-for-one basis. In return, the bloc pledged to accelerate the Turkish EU accession bid and introduce a visa-free regime.

 

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Turkish Stream may be financed on 50-50 basis by Turkey, Russia — Erdogan

http://tass.ru/en/economy/893709

The decision to resume the Turkish Stream pipeline project followed Putin-Erdogan talks on August 9

ANKARA, August 11. /TASS/. President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced agreements reached with Russia on equal financing of the Turkish Stream natural gas pipeline, Haberturk television reported Thursday.

"We told (the Russian side) that there are no problems with the Turkish Stream project. The only thing is that we’ve proposed to divide expenses on the construction of the pipeline’s section crossing our territory into halves," Turkish President said, adding that outside Turkey gas will be transported through the Black Sea.

"As for the remaining part a (preliminary) agreement has been reached regarding its financing on a 50-50 basis," Erdogan said.

The decision to resume the Turkish Stream pipeline project followed the talks of presidents of Turkey and Russia on August 9 in St. Petersburg.

The Russian authorities announced the launch of the Turkish Stream pipeline in December 2014 as an alternative to the South Stream gas pipeline project abandoned by Russia over the EU’s demand to bring it to conformity with the so-called Third Energy Package despite the fact that it does not belong to intra-European gas infrastructure. However, the Turkish Stream was put on hold as relations between Russia and Turkey got locked in a spat over the downing of a Russian Su-24M bomber on November 24 by the Turkish Air Force’s fighter jet.

It was planned that the marine section of Turkish Stream would comprise four lines with the capacity of 15.75 bln cubic meters each. The pipeline is to run 660 km in the old South Stream corridor and 250 km in the new corridor in the direction of the European part of Turkey.

 

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Turkey Ready to Expand Defense Relations With Non-NATO Members

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160812/1044187656/turkey-nato-defense-ties.html

Ankara could seek ways of cooperation in the defense sector outside NATO, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu signaled his country's readiness to develop defense cooperation outside NATO, the German news network N-TV reported.

Cavusoglu noted, in particular, that the air defense systems installed by NATO do not cover the entire territory of Turkey.

"We want to make our own [missile] defense system… and we have relevant technology for the purpose. Other countries outside NATO also have advanced technology and know-how," Cavusoglu said.

At the same time, the top Turkish diplomat made it clear that Ankara is not going to withdraw from the alliance.

He was echoed by Turkish Ambassador to Russia Umit Yardim, who said that recent reports that Turkey and NATO are reassessing their relations and that "Turkey could be leaving NATO" hold no water.

He added, however, that NATO has no right to dictate what foreign policy decisions Turkey should take and what countries it should build relations with.

Yardim underscored that Turkey is "independent in creating its foreign policy."

Cavusoglu, for his part, said earlier this month that that Turkey had repeatedly tried to interact with NATO member countries, but that the results did not meet Ankara's expectations.

Apparently, it was something that finally prompted Turkey to look for other partners to cooperate in the defense sector.

Expanding bilateral defense ties was high on the agenda of Tuesday's talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in St. Petersburg.

European media outlets reported at the time that Ankara is particularly interested in buying the Russian-made air defense systems.

In this vein, Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said that improved relations between Ankara and Moscow will not affect Turkey's NATO membership.

The Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah quoted him as saying that "Turkey remains one of NATO's strongest members, and our ties with Russia would not cast a shadow on that."

 

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Turkey will consider closing its border with Syria at Russia’s request as full reconciliation with Moscow is in Ankara’s interest, Russian media reported Friday, citing a Russian Federation Council member.

Turkey to Consider Closing Border With Syria at Russia’s Request – Reports
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160812/1044199121/russia-syria-border-request.html

Moscow has demanded from Ankara the closure of the Turkish Syrian border as part of talks of a Russia-Turkish commission on reconciliation, according to the Izvestia newspaper.

These talks reportedly come in continuation of the discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan and include participation of diplomats, military officials and special services representatives from both countries.

"Turkish negotiators — both diplomatic and military – have practically no field for maneuver. At the same time, they seem to be willing to overcome contentious issues. That is why they will have to meet our condition of closing the border with Syria," Igor Morozov told the paper.

Russia and a number of other international actors have repeatedly called on Turkey to shut its border with the crisis-torn Syria over concern that weapons and munitions could be transferred across the border to aid extremists based in Syria.

With the Turkish government agitated over apparent Western collusion in the July 15 coup attempt, Washington and Brussels are looking on in horror at the possible rapprochement between Moscow and Ankara. According to political analyst Salman Rafi Sheikh, such a rapprochement could have profound consequences for the Middle East and for Europe.

EU & US Desperately Trying to Prevent Erdogan From Shifting Toward Russia
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160812/1044196229/eu-usa-erdogan-russia-commentary.html

The failure of the Turkish coup attempt in mid-July has strengthened the Erdogan government's grip on political power, leaving Turkey's European and American allies nervous. In fact, political analyst Salman Rafi Sheikh argues that the move has effectively "enabled Erdogan to send a chilly warning to the West…paving the way for a possible shift away from the EU and the US to Russia."

In his analysis of the shifting geopolitical situation, published by New Eastern Outlook, the journalist recalled that last week, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland "arrived in Turkey to work out the fractured bond [between Ankara and] the EU."

It was very significant, Sheikh noted, that Jagland had arrived in the country just ahead of Erdogan's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "It is also important to note that this is, so far, the only official visit from the West since July 15, and is a strong indication of the fact that EU officials and diplomats are worried and are 'watching warily' the Turkish-Russian rapprochement."

According to the analyst, that rapprochement "is not merely rooted in ending the Syrian conflict; it is equally, and perhaps more, about [the] possible gas pipeline project Turkish Stream," an agreement which the analyst recalled is not just about ensuring Turkish energy security, but about the country's possible role as a crucial transit country for Russian energy supplies to southern Europe.

"It is this particular development, rather than the question of keeping Turkey as a 'key NATO country', that led [Jagland] to issue a public apology for not being 'quick' enough to understand the crisis in Turkey," the journalist suggested. "The reason for this particular –and suddenly changed –approach of the EU is the wider geopolitical implication of the gas deal between Turkey and Russia, and the fact that Russia will acquire a strong foothold in Europe" through such a deal, he added.

Washington and Brussels have long attempted to minimize European countries' dependence on Russian energy supplies, Sheikh recalled. "As such, were Turkey to become a transit [territory] for Russian gas, this project would almost [certainly] kill the trans-Caspian gas project that virtually bypasses Russia and reaches Europe directly. Furthermore, the agreement will also render Ukraine almost meaningless for the supply of gas from Russia to Europe. Hence, the West would lose the 'Ukrainian excuse'" for continued sanctions against Russia.

Ankara, meanwhile, would also benefit from the project, with the Turkish Stream "not only add[ing] to Turkey's own energy security, but enhanc[ing] Turkey's importance for Russia in its geo-strategies…[and] enabl[ing] it to position itself as an energy hub for Europe (which becomes a trump card for Turkey's tortuous accession negotiations with the EU)."

At the same time, Sheikh suggested that "against a wider geo-political context," the Turkish Stream "would also render the whole Syrian crisis meaningless." This, according to the analyst, has everything to do with the fact that the brutal war in that country began immediately after Damascus refused to accede to Qatari plans to lay a pipeline via Syria to Europe. This, the journalist recalled, is what led "to the 'regime change' agenda to overthrow [Bashar Assad], the emergence of ISIS and other terror groups, and umpteen loss of life and property in the Middle East." Effectively, a Russian-Turkish energy agreement via the Turkish stream would render Qatari ambitions futile.

"Against this context, the rift between Turkey and Russia was of utmost importance for Western interests to remain secure – and to make sure that Europe's dependence upon Russian gas does not exceed a certain point."

Ultimately, Sheikh suggested that Turkey's already existing dependence on Russian energy, combined with Moscow's ability to provide "decisive help in preventing the creation of a Kurdistan enclave on its borders," makes an alliance of sorts between the two countries only natural.

In any case, Sheikh suggested that in moving toward Moscow, Ankara is trying to ensure that the West can "no longer…materialize its economic and strategic interests in the Middle East and beyond without Turkey playing a pivotal role in it. Hence, Erdogan's message to the West [is:] 'mind your own business' while Turkey minds its own and prepares for a big leap forward toward Russia."

For their part, Russian analysts are hopeful in the prospects for a genuine reset of Russian-Turkish relations, but emphasize the necessity for concrete political and economic agreements, rather than flowery promises.

Commenting on President Erdogan's Wednesday 'ultimatum' to the US, where the Turkish leader said in no uncertain terms that Washington must 'choose' between Turkey and the US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara believes to be behind the July 15 coup attempt, Russian experts suggested that the Turkish president has finally come to understand the true face of his US partners.

Speaking to the independent online newspaper Svobodnaya Pressa, Moscow-based political scientist and sociologist Alexander Shatilov suggested that what Erdogan experienced was a "geopolitical shock, having found out that the Western countries with which he cooperated had helped to organize a revolt against him."

"And it's likely that the rebellion would have resulted in the Turkish president's physical annihilation. This helps to explain the tough statements Erdogan is making," the expert added.

Pointing out that he does not believe in a complete rupture in Turkish-US relations, in spite of the cooling of relations, Shatilov noted that Moscow, for its part, must do everything it can to benefit from the current situation.

"We cannot allow ourselves to be fed empty promises. If Erdogan is ready for economic cooperation, let him make specific proposals, backed up by documents and guarantees. Let him stop supporting the terrorists in Syria once and for all. If we allow things to drag on, the West will gradually reel Erdogan back in, and Russia will not get any benefits from this situation," the analyst emphasized.

The next few months may see Turkey join the anti-terror coalition in Syria which includes Iran and Russia, Iranian political analyst Reza Moghaddasi told Sputnik.

Turkey Could Enter Syrian Fray as Part of Russian Anti-Terror Coalition
http://sputniknews.com/world/20160812/1044204158/russia-turkey-syria-coalition.html

In an interview with Sputnik, Iranian political analyst Reza Moghaddasi did not rule out the possibility of Turkey finally joining the anti-terror coalition in Syria which comprises Russia and Iran, in light of the ongoing improvement in Russian-Turkish relations.

The interview came ahead of Friday's visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to the Turkish capital Ankara, where he will meet an array of senior Turkish officials, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

High on the agenda will be developing relations between Turkey and Iran, as well as ways to resolve the Syrian issue.

Moghaddasi recalled that the visit will be Javad Zarif's first official trip to Ankara after an attempted military coup in Turkey on July 16.

He also said that in a recent telephone conversation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Erdogan signaled his country's desire to cooperate more with Russia and Iran on the fight against terrorism.

"So today's visit by Javad Zarif to Turkey and the recent historic visit by Erdogan to Russia to meet Vladimir Putin, as well as a historic meeting of the leaders Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia in Baku pave the way for a constructive dialogue between these countries on the anti-terror cooperation," Moghaddasi said.

Tehran expects Turkey to learn "an important and useful lesson" from the coup which was supported by European countries and the US, he said, adding that the West remaining silent on the matter certainly offended the Turkish leaders.

"It is safe to assume therefore that Turkey is now highly interested in joining the anti-terrorist coalition in Syria with the participation of Russia and Iran," he said.

He expressed hope that the attempted coup will prompt President Erdogan to rethink his stance on a wide range of pressing issues.

 

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Turkish PM withdraws calls for reinstatement of death penalty

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/08/16/480306/Turkey-death-penalty-Yildirim

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has withdrawn his previous calls for the reinstatement of death penalty as a way of dealing with those believed to have played a role in the mid-July abortive coup.

Yildirim said Tuesday that a fair trial would be a harsher punishment for suspected coup plotters than the death penalty, apparently reversing the previous government stance which said that capital punishment should be reintroduced to deal with those behind the failed coup.

Turkey abolished capital punishment in 2004 as part of its reforms to join the European Union. EU members have warned that a reinstatement of the measure, as suggested by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, could mean an end to Ankara’s bid for EU accession.

Since July 16, when Turkey declared the one-day coup attempt over, the country has arrested nearly 20,000 people as part of its massive crackdown on alleged putschists. Western governments have criticized the arrests as well as about 70,000 cases of dismissals and suspensions involving members of the military and public institutions, saying Ankara is acting beyond the rule of law.

Yildirim, who was speaking to members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the parliament, said Turkey has tougher ways of dealing with plotters than sentencing them to death.

“There are tougher ways to die than the death (penalty) for them. That is an impartial and fair trial,” Yildirim said, adding that “a person dies only once when executed.”

President Erdogan himself has barely mentioned the case in his latest speeches in recent days.

Yildirim said, however, that Turkey would not hesitate in dealing with the plotters, saying Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric whom Ankara accuses of orchestrating the coup, would be brought to account.

“Those responsible for the blood of our martyrs will be brought to account. We will not bring them to account acting out of revenge. We will bring them to account with justice,” the Turkish premier stated.

Turkey Allows 1,000 Terrorists to Cross Border into Syria's Idlib

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950526001365

Over 1,000 fully-equipped terrorists have arrived in Idlib province to join Jeish al-Fatah terrorists in Aleppo province as the Turkish border guards have closed their eyes to the border crossings by the terrorists, the Arabic-language al-Watan newspapers reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, a majority of the terrorists have arrived from foreign, specially Arab, states.

It quoted informed sources as saying that the terrorists cross the border at Bab al-Salameh and Bab al-Hawa into Northern Idlib at nights.

The refreshments come as Jeish al-Fatah terrorists acknowledged that they have lost the cement factory in the Southern countryside of the city of Aleppo and are moving back from the region.

The Syrian army has recaptured vast areas in the Southern countryside of Aleppo City, Jeish al-Fatah terrorists confirmed.

Hundreds of Jeish al-Fatah terrorists launched heavy attacks against the Syrian army's positions on Sunday evening.

On Monday, dissident sources disclosed that the Jeish al-Fatah commanders had ordered their coordinators not to reveal the real number of the casualties in the battles in the Southern part of Aleppo province in order to prevent the terrorists from losing their morale.

The order by Jeish al-Fatah commanders comes after thousands of young terrorists were killed in Aleppo battlefield, the Arabic-language media quoted sources close to Ahrar al-Sham terrorist group as saying.

On August 3, Jeish al-Fatah gathered over 9,000 terrorists to prevail over the Syrian Army positions and open a way into the militant-held districts in the Eastern parts of Aleppo city but failed and pulled its forces back after sustaining scores of casualties.

Jeish al-Fatah suffered a heavy death toll after its forces failed to break through the army strongholds in New Aleppo district.

Jeish al-Fatah also stormed government defense lines in al-Hamdaniyeh and box-making plant in the Western side of Aleppo and al-Ramousiyeh Southwest of the city.

Most of the Jeish al-Fatah terrorists killed in Aleppo were young militants who had undergone military training for only three weeks. Jeish al-Fatah has brainwashed the young people to join the terrorist group, Ahrar al-Sham said.

Syrian and Russian military officials have declared that the terrorists have so far sustained, at least, 5,000 casualties in the last two weeks.

 

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Number of Wounded in Car Bomb Attack in Eastern Turkey Surpasses 70

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160818/1044381119/turkey-car-bomb-attack.html

The number of wounded in the car bomb attack in Turkey’s eastern Van province has gone up to 71, local media report.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Earlier, it was reported that a blast occurred near a police station in Van at around 23:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Wednesday, killing at least three people and injuring 40 others.

The Vatan newspaper reported that a total of 71 people, including 17 police officers, were wounded in the explosion. Three of the injured people are in critical condition. The dead include one child.

A special operation, involving air support, was launched to capture the perpetrators of the deadly act. One suspect has reportedly been detained, but the operation continues.

Earlier this week, a car bomb explosion in Turkey’s southeastern Diyarbakir Province, near a municipal traffic department, killed six people.

Tensions in Turkey escalated in July 2015, after 33 Kurdish activists were killed in a suicide blast in Suruc and two Turkish policemen were later murdered by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants. Ankara subsequently launched a military campaign against the PKK which it considers a terrorist organization.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the Wednesday explosion in Van, however, according to some local media reports, PKK is behind the deadly act.

Huge Blast Heard Near Police Station in Eastern Turkey, Casualties Reported

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160818/1044383203/explosion-police-station-eastern-turkey.html

A big explosion was heard in the vicinity of a police station in the city of Elazig in eastern Turkey, according to multiple reports.

At least 6 people dead and over 120 wounded following two car bomb blasts, according to Turkish officials as cited by AP.

The attack was allegedly carried out by PKK militants, the agency reports.

The police department building is said to have sustained severe damage. Police residences situated nearby were also reportedly damaged by the explosion.

Erdogan will meet with Russia, Iran next week

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/erdogan-will-meet-russia-iran-next-week/

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will make a high-profiled trip to the Tehran next week, as he looks to strengthen regional ties with Russia and Iran.

Erdogan’s upcoming visit to Tehran comes just two weeks after he made a historic trip to St. Petersburg in order to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Earlier this week, Erdogan announced that he has mapped out a solution to end the ongoing war in Syria; however, he did not go into details.

Despite their disagreements over Syria, Iran and Turkey have maintained good relations; and they continue to coordinate against Kurdish militant groups inside their respective countries.

 

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Moscow and Tehran are playing indispensable roles in resolving the Syrian conflict, the Turkish top diplomat underscored in an exclusive interview with Sputnik.

EXCLUSIVE: Ankara Praises Crucial Roles of Moscow, Tehran in Syria Peace Process
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160818/1044396606/cavusoglu-iran-russia-syria.html

Achieving a lasting resolution of the crisis in Syria without Russia and Iran would be impossible, Ankara will cooperate with them on these issues, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told Sputnik.

"We have repeatedly stated, even in the period of crisis in our relations, that it would be impossible to achieve a lasting resolution in Syria without Russia’s participation. We continue to insist on this. The same can be said about Iran, with which we are negotiating at the moment as well and aim to strengthen cooperation in this sphere," Cavusoglu said.

The minister expressed confidence that the Syrian issue would be resolved through cooperation.

A bomb attack in the Turkish city of Elazig left three people dead and 217 wounded, the country's prime minister said.

East Turkey’s Elazig Bomb Blast Kills Three, Wounds 217
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160818/1044393945/elazig-bomb-blast.html

A bomb attack blamed on Kurdish separatists in the eastern Turkish city of Elazig killed three police officers and wounded 217 people, 85 of them police officers, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Thursday.

The prime minister raised Turkey's alarm level after the attacks in Elazig, Van and Hizan across eastern Turkey.

Yildirim added that later in the day the PKK attacked a patrolling armed vehicle near the town of Hizan in Bitlis province, killing four soldiers and wounding five.

A total of nine people were previously reported killed and 210 wounded in two explosions in the towns of Van and Elazig earlier in the day.

The separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), considered by Ankara a terrorist organization, is blamed on the spate of attacks. Yildirim said the group "lost its chain of command," triggering the attacks across Turkey.

At least ten senior members of the ultra-leftist Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front party (DHKP-C), outlawed in Turkey, have been detained during a special police raid in Istanbul, local media reported Wednesday.

Ten Senior Members of Turkish Leftist Radical Group Detained in Istanbul
http://sputniknews.com/asia/20160817/1044372095/turkish-leftist-radicals-detained.html

According to the Daily Sabah newspaper, the men were detained during a secret meeting. The detained men were active in Turkey's provinces of Adana, Bursa, Tunceli, Antalya, Elazıg-Malatya, Gaziantep, Mersin, Diyarbakır and Eskisehir.

DHKP-C is a Marxist-Leninist party created in 1978.

The party strongly opposes US and NATO influence on Turkish politics and has been notorious for a number of suicide bombings. Among most recent attacks, DHKP-C claimed responsibility for the attack on a police station in Istanbul, when two female perpetrators were killed by special forces.

Turkey said it would consider establishing international control at two border-crossing points at the Syrian border, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

Turkey 'Will Have to Agree' on International Observers at Syrian Border
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160817/1044371010/turkey-syria-border-control.html

He noted that Resolution 2165 adopted by the UN Security Council prescribes establishing control over humanitarian supplies and deploying observers to the border area.

According to former Turkish diplomat Metin Corabatir, Ankara will have to agree to deploy UN observers to the border and establish an outpost at the Syrian border.

"Of course, the issue is now being discussed. This discussion was intensified by the normalization between Moscow and Ankara, especially after President Erdogan’s visit to Russia. Turkey is now in a weak position and has to find ways to reach a consensus with Russia over Syria. This is why Ankara will have to agree to deploy observers at the Syrian border," Corabatir told Sputnik.

He added that one of the main mistakes Ankara has made during the Syrian crisis was the fact that Turkey has kept international observers and specialists away from refugee camps. As a result, now there is a lack of information about the actual humanitarian situation in the region, he explained.

The text of the resolution says that neighboring countries should keep their corridors open for deliveries of humanitarian supplies. The resolution also prescribes delivering humanitarian aid to besieged areas. In addition, according to the document, supplies delivered by the UN can be checked by the destination country and by UN personnel.

Ankara would have to let UN and other organizations examine its humanitarian supplies to Syria because previously Russia suggested that humanitarian aid coming from Turkey to Syria could include supplies for militant groups, Corabatir underscored.

 

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Turkey’s Change of Heart Toward Syria Crucial Step to End War

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160819/1044443439/turkey-syria-russia.html

At the talks with Turkey over Syria, Russia is insisting on establishing strict border control at the Turkish-Syrian border in order to make the war on terrorism more effective.

The changes Turkey would make to its stance on the issue will determine the relations between Moscow and Ankara, said Hasan Selim Ozertem from the International Strategic Research Organization (USAK).

The specialist underscored that at the talks Russia has clear priorities and demands, including closing the Syrian-Turkish borders to militants and arms supplies and control over humanitarian supplies.

Earlier, Syrian President Bashar Assad underscored that cooperation with Turkey on Syria would be possible if border control and security are restored.

"Moscow and Damascus say that currently the northern Syrian border is used as a transition point for delivering militants and weapons to Syria. Turkey’s further steps on the issue will determine the dynamics of relations between Russia and Turkey," he said.

Ozertem noted that agreements between Russia and the United States as well as between Turkey and Iran would be crucial for the Syrian settlement.

He warned that if those agreements fail "some third parties" will try to delay the negotiating process.

The expert also said that if Turkey closes the border to stop the transit of militants and weapons to Syria this move could anger Saudi Arabia and Qatar. But actually they are unable to pressure Ankara on the issue.

Turkey 'Wants Assistance From Israel' That it Did Not Receive From US

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160819/1044444137/turkey-israel-normalization.html

Recently, a draft agreement on normalization between Turkey and Israel was submitted to the Turkish parliament. It is expected to be approved in the coming days.

According to the document, within 25 days, compensation to the tune of $20 million will be paid to the families and relatives of those killed on the Mavi Marmara ship during a conflict on May 31, 2010.

This move will relieve the legal and criminal responsibility from the Israeli troops involved in the operation. The Mavi Marmara case will be closed.

In an interview with Sputnik, Turkish political analyst Ozlem Tur said Ankara wants to normalize ties with Israel in a bid to break the regional isolation of Turkey.

"Why did Turkey come up with such an agreement? I think the reason is the situation in the region. Turkey is seeking ways to break the isolation provoked by its foreign policy. This agreement is very important for Ankara," she said.

Moreover, the Turkish government believes that Israel is interested in cooperation with Turkey, especially in energy.

At the same time, for a long time the Israeli government insisted it had no need for cooperation with Turkey since it had "alternative options."

However, after Ankara sent a clear signal of normalization, Israel accepted the offer, partially because of the need to find new partners in the region.

"Ties between Turkey and Israel will be based on mutual benefits, with respect to the interest of each country. And only time will tell how far this cooperation could go. What is also important, it will depend on the situation in Syria because Turkey-Israel normalization is part of the regional security," the analyst pointed out.

Another key factor in the process is the Kurdish problem. Turkey is likely to ask Israel for help, including sharing intelligence data.

"I think the initial impulse for normalization was not energy but the security situation in the Middle East," she added.

"Intelligence cooperation is very important for Turkey’s policy towards Kurds. Tel-Aviv’s assistance is of strategic importance for Ankara. Turkey wants the assistance it hasn’t receive from the United States, from Israel. Cooperation with Israel will help Turkey prevent undesired scenarios in the Kurdish problem," she said.

Normalization with Israel is geo-strategically important for Turkey despite criticism from the Arab world because cooperation with Tel-Aviv would help resolve such priority issues as the Syrian crisis and the Kurdish problem, the analyst concluded.

 

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Assad could be part of transition period in Syria – Turkish PM

https://www.rt.com/news/356603-yildirim-assad-syria-transition/

Turkey is ready to accept that the Syrian President Bashar Assad may be part of a transitional period in the country, but insists that he has no place in Syria’s future, Turkish Prime Minister told a press-conference.

“We may sit and talk (with Assad) for the transition. A transition may be facilitated. But we believe that there should be no (Kurdish rebels), Daesh [IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL] or Assad in Syria’s future,” Binali Yildirim told foreign media representatives in Istanbul on Saturday, according to AP.

“Could Syria carry Assad in the long-term? Certainly not,” Yildirim said. “The United States knows and Russia knows that Assad does not appear to be someone who can bring (the people) together.”

Turkey, which has been hosting more than 2.7 million Syrian refugees, has been an open supporter of the so-called moderate opposition attempting to overthrow Assad.

Yildirim also noted that at the same time Turkey is aiming to play a more active role in the region.

Ankara has been cracking down on Kurds in the south east of Turkey and is also concerned about their growing influence outside of its borders.

“In the six months ahead of us, we shall be playing a more active role,” Yildirim said. “It means not allowing Syria to be divided along ethnic lines... ensuring that its government is not based on ethnic (divisions).”

However, Yildirim refuted reports that Russia is planning to use Turkey’s southern air base in Incirlik in order to conduct military operations in Syria.

“They have [made] no request for Incirlik,” Yildirim said. “I don't think they have a need for Incirlik. Because they already have two bases in Syria.”

US-led coalition jets, which have been carrying out sorties against IS, are currently stationed at the base.

Earlier in July, Yunus Akbaba, an adviser to Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, told the Jerusalem Post that Turkey might undertake a milder stance regarding the situation in Syria.

“Turkey had already softened its position and was ready for a political transition in which Assad would go at the end of the process,” he said, adding that apart from this issue, Ankara is calling for a new constitution in Syria and fair elections under UN auspices.

 

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A major suicide attack struck Gaziantep, Turkey during a wedding ceremony killing at least 8 civilians and wounding more than 30 others.

Terror in Turkey: Major Suicide Bomb Rocks Wedding - 22 Dead, 94 Injured (Video)
http://sputniknews.com/world/20160820/1044472999/turkey-terrorism-gaziantep-isis-bomb.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUDjTnW0pOk

UPDATE: The death toll from the terror attack that struck the Turkish city of Gaziantep has risen to 22 dead with 94 civilians wounded according to the city's Governor reports Sputnik News Wire. The attack targeted a wedding on Saturday night with the purpose of creating mass civilian carnage. Parliamentary deputy from the ruling AKP Party, Samil Tayyar, said that he believed that the Daesh terror network was behind the attack, not the PKK.

Journalist Mete Sohtaoglu, the former editor at CNN Turk, confirms that authorities believe at least 8 are dead and more than 30 others have been wounded in the attack based on preliminary information. Video from the scene corroborates the violent nature of the attack featuring images too graphic to republish.​

Ambulances continue to race to the scene as authorities attempt to get a handle on the carnage that has resulted from the strike.

RT reports that one social media user who saw the scene unfold said that a "suicide bomber blows himself up" and ​claims that "close to a hundred" people have been killed or injured.

Gaziantep Governor Ali Yerlikaya has released a statement saying the blast was an attack by “terrorist organizations,” according to Turkish news outlet Haberturk.

Contradictory reports spread across the Web regarding the relocation of US nuclear weapons from Incirlik Airbase. Sputnik provides an overview of recent developments around the base.

What’s Going on? Contradictory Reports Regarding US Nukes on Incirlik Airbase
http://sputniknews.com/military/20160821/1044473976/contradictory-reports-incirlik-nuclear-weapons.html

On Monday, the Stimson Center, a Washington DC-based nonprofit think tank, released a report, urging policymakers in the US to remove B61 nuclear bombs from Europe and strengthen conventional forces instead.

Next day, on August 16th, Russian media outlet Izvestia cited Igor Morozov, a member of the Russia's Federation Council (upper chamber of Russian parliament), former member of parliamentary committee on international affairs, saying: "It just remains to come to an agreement with Erdogan that we get the NATO base Incirlik as [our] primary airbase… You'll see, the next base will be Incirlik." This information has been published in The Times today, on August 20th.

Later, on Thursday, August 18th, Sputnik reported information initially published by Brussels-based EurActiv news outlet saying that the US forces have started an operation of relocation of its nuclear weapons from Incirlik to Deveselu base in Romania.

In about an hour since the initial report on Sputnik, Romanian Foreign Ministry officially denied that the country is going to host the US nuclear weapons in a letter to Russian RIA Novosti news agency.

Later that day Sputnik attempted to contact the US Department of Defense, but its spokesman Adam Stump declined to either confirm or deny the information.

Yesterday, on August 19th, Foreign Policy published an article, named "No, the the U.S. Is Not Moving Its Nukes From Turkey to Romania." The article quotes a nuclear weapons expert Jeffrey Lewis, calling the information unlikely. According to Lewis, Romania lacks the required infrastructure needed to store the weapons safely. Unfortunately, Foreign Policy did not provide any official confirmation or denial for the message.

On August 20th, World Bulletin published an article citing Amy Woolf, a researcher for nuclear weapons policy for the U.S. Congressional Research Service. According to Woolf, the nuclear weapons at Incirlik cannot be used, because they required a massive bomber that could drop them.

On August 20th, the Prime Minister of Turkey Binali Yildirim said that Russia could possibly use country's southern Incirlik Air Base if it becomes necessary. He also added that up to this point, Russia had no need for this base.

What's really going on at Incirlik?

While it's clearly impossible to say for sure, there are some more publications on the Web that drop hints at what may be happening.

There are reports on various websites citing a Tweet posted on August 16th by Ibrahim Karagul, a chief editor of Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak, saying "Nuclear weapons at Incirlik should be transferred to Turkey. Or Turkey should take these weapons into its own hands."

While this is solely a personal opinion of a particular Turkish citizen, it is interesting in connection with another publication.

On August 17th, a Turkish journalist Taha Dagli has published an analytic article at Haber7 media outlet. Russian InoSMI news agency has provided a translation of the article. According to Taha Dagli, the original report by Stimson Center implies that, should unrest and chaos spike in Turkey, the nuclear weapons at Incirlik may fall into hands of Turkey, Russia and Iran.

These weapons could be reverse engineered and reproduced, Dagli says. Thus, Turkey or even Iran may get their own nuclear weapons, based on reverse-engineered American bombs. But why would Turkey aim to capture these bombs if it does not have a plane capable of delivering them?

Dagli assumes that this could be used as an excuse for actions against Turkey, as it happened with the occupation of Iraq, which was justified by "fabricated nuclear weapons reports, saying ‘Iraq produces nuclear weapons'", Dagli writes. Westerners find the journalist's concerns to be without merit.

There was a great hope in July 15th, and the main source of this hope was Incirlik Airbase," he writes, referring to a failed coup attempt in Turkey. "All designs have failed, but, apparently, there are new plans being constructed involving Incirlik."

The B61 bombs stored at Incirlik, have first been put on service in 1968. But since then they have been upgraded many times, the last time being in 2012, which make an arguably contemporary weapon.

Sputnik will continue to monitor the developments around Incirlik.