By Denis Korkodinov
The United States has requested the EU and the North Atlantic Alliance to support the Turkish military campaign in the Syrian province of Idlib. However, Washington is not ready to assist Turkey directly, since Recep Erdogan does not intend to refuse to use the Russian S-400 air defense system.
Representatives of the White House administration note that the goal of the US military presence in Syria is still the fight against the Islamic State. In this, they are in solidarity with Turkey, which, in turn, is trying to cooperate with Russia. Meanwhile, the Americans could ignore the Russian-Turkish agreement if Moscow were not perceived in the United States as an unfriendly country that impedes the realization of American interests. In this regard, Washington blocks close military cooperation with Ankara, believing that the results of their cooperation will be transmitted to the Russians.
US sources say that the White House is paying close attention to the conflict that began in Idlib province and is very concerned about the strengthening positions of the Syrian Arab Army and Russia. In this regard, Washington is making great efforts to provide Turkey with military advantages. At the same time, according to the Americans, the countries of Europe should directly intervene in the conflict and supply Turkey with high-precision weapons in order to lead the Turkish army to a “quick victory”.
Meanwhile, the United States is limited in direct supplies of weapons to the Turkish ally because of fears that these weapons and supply channels may be transferred to Russia, which, despite the tension, continues to cooperate with the Turks in the framework of the agreements reached in Moscow. Nevertheless, the United States provides humanitarian aid to Turkey and is ready to give assistance in resolving the migration crisis.
According to official American sources, the Spring Shield military operation in Idliya is aimed at ensuring Turkey’s national security, which is why Washington will not create any obstacles for Ankara to suppress resistance from the Russian and Syrian forces. Moreover, Washington is ready to encourage Turkish attacks if they are committed to the positions of Russia and official Damascus.
Among other things, the United States turned to the United Nations with a proposal to block airspace over Syria for Russian aviation, which, according to the views of the White House, should facilitate the Turkish attack on the southern part of the M4 highway, occupied by the Syrian Arab Army, and also begin to move towards M5 highway.
The US continues to insist that Iran, Russia, and the Lebanese Hezbollah movemen should leave Syria, leaving Turkey face to face with Bashar al-Assad’s regime. According to the Americans, this will allow the conflict settlement process to begin, which should be the main policy agenda of Recep Erdogan, who made an attempt to consolidate his position in Idlib.
The Turkish president is in solidarity with his American colleagues and believes that Moscow should distance itself from providing military and political assistance to Damascus. Meanwhile, Recep Erdogan does not dispute the role of Moscow in the Middle East and believes that in any other area, except Syria and Libya, he can cooperate with Vladimir Putin.
(The views expressed in this article belong only to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Geostrategic Insights).