“Right now, the issue is not about ISIL. The job of our convoy there is to transfer aid to the Süleyman Shah tomb. Our friends in charge are continuing the effort,” Erdoğan told journalists after hosting primary school students in Ankara for national Children’s Day.
- Social media accounts regarded as close to ISIL had reported earlier on April 23 that six Turkish tanks, 12 armored vehicles and 300 Turkish soldiers had been deployed 200 meters from ISIL positions in northern Syria, quoting eyewitnesses. Same sources claimed the ISIL also reinforced its own forces.
- Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu reiterated on March 14 that Turkey had the right to “take all precautions to protect the tomb,” following clashes between the Free Syrian Army and ISIL in the area.
“The tomb of Süleyman Shah is a rare place, being Turkish land outside of Turkey’s own borders. There is no difference between the tomb and Ankara or Sinop. The soil on which it is located is Turkish soil. Our armed forces are ensuring security and protecting it,” Yılıdız said.
The tomb of Süleyman Shah is located in the governorate of Aleppo, and sits 25 kilometers from the Turkey-Syria border. It remains under Turkish sovereignty under a 1921 treaty signed between Turkey and France, which was then the colonial power in Syria. The agreement was renewed after Syria gained independence in 1936.
[hurriyetdailynews.com]
23/4/14
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Military reinforcement at Turkey's Suleiman Shah Tomb territory in Syria is simply a planned activity and not extraordinary, Turkey's Land Forces Commander has said....
ReplyDeleteFull General Hulusi Akar made his remarks to the press as he attended a reception held for the 94th anniversary of Turkish Parliament in Ankara on Wednesday.
Responding to a question on whether a military convoy entering Syria meant a reinforcement for existing troops in Turkey's only territory beyond its borders, Akar said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu had already made the necessary statements on the issue.
Akar said the efforts of the Turkish Armed Forces continued to "fulfill the given duties effectively in the Syrian border internal security operation zone. These are planned activities, nothing extraordinary".
http://www.aa.com.tr/en/headline/317430--syria-convoy-not-extraordinary-turkish-commander
23/4/14