A Turkish political analyst spoke to Sputnik about the Russian-Turkish cooperation in the fight against terrorism after Iran allowed Moscow to use its Hamadan airbase for strikes against Daesh and al-Nusra Front in Syria.
Cooperation between Russia and Turkey against terrorists in Syria is getting even more important after Iran authorized the use of its Hamadan airfield for Russian strategic bombers in Syria. However, Moscow and Ankara are unlikely to discuss the possibility of using the Incirlik airbase for Russian airstrikes against terrorists in Syria, political analyst Prof. Hasan Ali Karasar said.
The analyst suggested that Ankara will not come up with the initiative.
“Russia already has a strong military presence in the region so it has no need to use Incirlik. Moscow and Ankara are unlikely to discuss the issue,” he told Sputnik.
He also underscored that cooperation between Moscow and Ankara would be crucial for the Syrian settlement.
“The normalization between Moscow and Ankara has opened the way to establish an effective negotiating mechanism. Russia and Turkey would be able to directly share opinions over the Syrian crisis. This cooperation is the key to resolve the crisis,” he said.
A sign by a closed checkpoint at the Syrian-Turkish border near the town of Kessab
© Sputnik/ Iliya Pitalev
Turkey ‘Will Have to Agree’ on Establishing International Control at Syrian Border
He also noted that in the context of the normalization between Moscow and Ankara Turkey will bolster control at the Syrian-Turkish border.
“The border is unlikely to be locked down but border control will be increased. Previously, movements across the border were hardly controlled but now the situation is changing. Security measures in the border area are to be taken soon,” Karasar said.
The analyst also commented on Turkey’s further actions in Syria if Russia and the United States join forces against terrorism in the region.
“Taking into account the fact that Moscow and Washington are discussing a joint operation Turkey should focus on the new balance of power forming in Northern Syria. The US should respect Turkey’s national interests in the region. Russia, Iran, the US and the European Union agree that Turkey has interests in the region. As a result, Ankara will adopt a wait-and-see attitude but it will intervene if its national interests are affected,” he concluded.
