Turkey deceives Syrians for its interests – activists in Raqqa
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – Turkey has been deceiving a part of the Syrian people for nearly a decade, civil society activists in the city of Raqqa in northern Syria said, Sunday.
Activists noted that the Turkish government announced its support to the Syrian revolution and the Syrian people’s demands to protect their interests, as it claims; however, the actual reality reveals it worked out to establish its interests in the country.
Shawakh al-Ali, a human rights activist in Raqqa, said, “Crimes committed by Turkey in Syria’s north is a crying shame amid media blackout and the absence of international intervention.”
There is a Turkish-Syrian rapprochement through security institutions which is promoted on all international media outlets endorsed globally, hailing such a rapprochement, according to al-Ali.
Al-Ali told North Press that Syrians are the one to pay the price later on.
On August 11, remarks made by Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglo drew wide spread public resentment that led to protests in a number Syrian cities in the north.
Cavusoglo revealed that he had a short chat with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad, in which the former called for reconciliation between the Syrian government and opposition to have a ”lasting peace.”
In turn, Muna Mousa, a female civil activist from Raqqa, said, “For ten years, Turkey used Syrian crisis to achieve its interests. It deceived Syrian people.”
“Yesterday’s statement is the greatest evidence, as it reveals that Turkey does not mind to bring the opposition and government together against Syrians,” Mousa added.
Towns and villages under the control of Turkey and its backed factions of the Syrian National Army (SNA) in northern Syria witnessed protests against the Turkish trusteeship over Syrian territories where the Turkish flag was set ablaze.
Ibrahim al-Jassem, co-chair of the Civil Society Organizations in Raqqa, said the remarks made by Turkey’s Foreign Minster reveal how Turkey deceived the Syrian people since the onset of the Syrian war in 2011.
“Turkey has been deceiving Syrian people for ten years and it will repeat this scenario again,” al-Jassem added.
“We do not need protection from any party, as we can protect ourselves. We do not need any external intervention in Syria’s territory as a whole,” he added.
Shatha al-Ahmad, also a civil activist from Raqqa, told North Press that Turkey passes decisions allegedly for Syrians; however, it applies others that suit its own interests.
Al-Ahmad added that the Syrian people should join hands against the Turkish policy in Syria.