News / Interviews

Turkey more of a problem to Syria rather than solution: Analyst

Monday, 19 December 2016 3:37 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 19 December 2016 4:29 PM ]

A bus drives through the government-controlled crossing of Ramoussa, on the southern outskirts of Aleppo, on December 18, 2016, during an evacuation operation of militants and civilians from militant-held areas. (Photo by AFP)

The Iranian, Russian and Turkish foreign ministers are set to hold a trilateral meeting in Moscow on Tuesday to discuss the unfolding situation in Syria. The developments in the strategic northwestern city of Aleppo, including the evacuation of terrorists and the humanitarian situation will be on the agenda.

A writer and radio host believes Turkey is really more of a problem rather than a solution to the conflict in Syria, voicing doubt about Ankara’s intention to facilitate anything positive in the war-torn country.

“There is information that Turkey is integrating terrorists already evacuated from Aleppo into its Euphrates Shield operation in northern Syria. In other words, wanting to use these terrorists mixed with their own soldiers to combat Syria to whatever it is doing in northern Syria instead of going against these terrorists,” Stephan Lendman told Press TV in an interview on Monday.

He also stated Turkey has been a major supplier of arms to terrorist groups, adding that these groups have had easy access across the border into Syria with Ankara’s facilitation.

The analyst went on to say that Turkey has come around a little bit but it is still mostly on the wrong side of the conflict in Syria.

However, he expressed hope that Russia and Iran can convince Turkey to change its stance more.

Lendman further opined that if US President-elect Donald Trump follows through his promise to work with Russia in the fight against terrorism, it will be the best chance to finally bring the Syria war to an end.

The Syrian army has recently liberated the flashpoint city of Aleppo from the clutches of foreign-backed militants.

Following the liberation of Aleppo, hundreds of residents of two villages under the militant siege, arrived in Aleppo under a deal that also saw the evacuation of thousands of militants from the flashpoint city.

Since March 2011, Syria has been hit by militancy it blames on some Western states and their regional allies. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the UN have put the death toll from the Syria conflict at more than 300,000 and 400,000, respectively.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk