Recently, Turkey hosted important official guests. First, the Iranian Chief of Staff Major General Baqeri and then the US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis made successive visits to Ankara. Meanwhile, Russia’s Chief of Staff General Valeriy Gerasimov announced his plan to visit Turkey in the near future. The timing of these visits is crucial given the rapidly changing situation in Syrian War. Since Turkey holds a key role due to its geopolitical position in the region, its allies seek ways to cooperate with Turkey to sustain stability in the Middle East.
Analysts considered Secretary Mattis’s abrupt visit to Ankara as the US’s concern regarding the formation of a Turkey-Iran-Russia alliance. The Secretary’s anxiety is the possible joint operation of Iran and Turkey against the PKK and the negotiations of the purchase of S-400 defence system between Russia and Turkey. The reality doesn’t conform to these assumptions as this isn’t the first go around that these three are working closely. Even though Turkey and these two allies have had their differences lately attributable to being on the opposite sides of the Syrian conflict, the nexus started to cooperate to establish a cease fire in Syria.
As a matter of fact, the recent close liaisons of these three countries doesn’t mean shifting away from the US. Turkey’s having strong ties with others does not mean cooling relations from its long-term strategic partner, the US.
This is due to Turkey’s principle of “good relations with neighbors and allies”. For example, when Turkey fought alongside with the US in the Korean War, its ties with Russia was cordial. In the same respect, Turkey has carried on its friendly links with the US and Iran when the two have been at odds before the JCPOA (The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). Therefore, the US should not perceive this alliance as a shift to the East but rather a league that seeks to maintain security in the Middle East.
The referendum in Northern Iraq was one of the main topics discussed with Secretary Mattis as well as the Iranian General. All these countries share a common view of being against this poll. Given the current situation in the region, another conflict or national breakdown is the last thing anyone needs.
Therefore, they strongly oppose this poll by insisting on the unitary structure of Iraq. It is obvious that Baghdad is disturbed by this development as the country is already in a conflict. This referendum may lead to an unnecessary fragmentation.
The Kurds in the North are already at ease and even have commercial relations with various countries including Turkey. Forming a separate state would be a very dangerous step both for the Kurds and the region since the ultimate plan is to form a communist state consisting of Kurdish minorities located in Turkey, Iran and Syria.
Another important point of discussion with the Secretary Mattis is the US’s arming the PYD/YPG to which President Erdoğan expressed his unease. Secretary Mattis gave assurance that the US partnership with PYD/YPG is only tactical and aimed to eradicate ISIS. However, the US should keep in mind that supporting the PYD/YPG is the same as supporting the PKK.
The reports of United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs published by the US Government Publishing Office (GPO) acknowledge the relationship between the PKK and the PYD terrorist organizations and demonstrate that “…the PKK and the PYD are the same”, which was claimed by a Middle East expert, Andrew J.
Tabler, who held the floor during the first session of 113th congress of the House of Representatives on November 20, 2013. In his statement at the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, Tabler stated: “And in Kurdish areas, the Democratic Union Party, the PYD, an organisation closely affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers Party otherwise known as the PKK, is now dominant.”
The PKK, which is based on Leninist ideology, changes its tactics from time to time to achieve its goals. For instance, it stopped its attacks on the mountains as a part of the “peace process” in Turkey but continued its operations in cities with the new name of “KCK.”
The PKK has been working to build a North Korean-style government in the region for the past 40 years. Under the name of the PYD, it’s maintaining the same agenda by exploiting the Syrian conflict. The PYD shows pro-American sympathies “for now,” when in fact it is known for its opposition toward the US, and other countries that it refers to as “imperialists”. Simultaneously, it enjoys support from the world’s remaining communist countries, groups and parties.
Communism has covered the top of the well to conceal its insidious activities thereby setting a trap. Its outward appearance may have changed, its adherents’ names may be different, but it still awaits an opportunity to wreak pain on humanity as it has in the past.
Communism is currently operating in secret in the hands of the PKK, in line with Lenin’s strategy. As a result of his “one step forward, two steps back” strategy, communism still covertly maintains its existence. Therefore, the US should be on alert not to allow a communist Kurdish state be formed under the PKK’s authority, which will cause a disaster not only in the Middle East but the entire world.
Adnan Oktar's piece in The Peninsula Qatar: