By Yunus Soner
Prof. Dr. Fahri Erenel is a retired general of the Turkish Armed Forces, who is today working as an analyst, following regional developments very closely.
In interview with UWI, he states that the US might have played a role in the recent terror attack in the Turkish city of Ankara, and places it into the broader context of the US’ Greater Middle East Plan. The interview was conducted prior to the election of Trump to Presidency.
I would like to begin with the recent terror attack in the city of Ankara in Türkiye. Previously to that attack, there has been calls from the Turkish government towards the PKK, or rather to its historic leader Ujala. And we understand that we there was a process that had started. Do you see any connections between the governments call to the PKK to lay down arms and this terror attack?
It is almost certain that there is a connection between the two acts. I think it is appropriate to evaluate these developments together with Bahçeli’s speech in the Parliament and certain talks that have been ongoing with Jordan’s family for a time. I consider that this is part of a process that has been set in motion a time ago. In that context, it is worth reminding that President Erdogan has stated that Israel might threaten Türkiye and that solidarity within the Turkish nation is very important. Meanwhile, talks about a new constitution have been ongoing. I think this is all connected and also to regional developments.
In northern Iraq, the Kurdish Democrat Party has won the elections. The Patriotic Union of Talabani has lost them. The political party that is supported by the PKK has achieved some progress, but did not gain a real success. Simultaneously, the organization of PJAK has started attacking Iranian soldiers on Iranian territory.
There are other elements that support these, above all the positioning of the United States. As you remember, the new constitution in Iraq in 2005, was result of the work of Joe Biden. The Kurdish Regional Autonomous Government is his work as well. And in the Iraqi constitution, there is an important paragraph that says that new autonomous regions might be established. Hence, Biden has written a constitution for Iraq that clearly aims to further divide to the country. Therefore, it is possible that the Patriotic Union, which has close ties to Iran, might have to establish a new autonomous region in the city of Sulaymaniyah.
You see a broader context of these attacks?
This deepens a process which is known as the Greater Middle East Plan, once established by Condoleezza Rice. And its broader context is the US fighting against China. Both in the Pacific and the Middle East.
Take a look that the Sunni Muslims in the region of Baluchistan in Iran have been attacking Iranian soldiers. Now these are also connected. The Beluchi terrorists in the territory of Pakistan. And here we see that there are assassination attempts against Chinese employees in Pakistani harbors and in Pakistan in general.
If we take into consideration the attacks of the PJAK. The attacks of Israel against Iran and the attacks in Baluchistan, then we have the impression that Iran is heading slowly towards a moment of being threatened by an internal division.
At the same time, Syria has already been divided factually in two parts. In my opinion. The US is maintaining the YPG/PKK forces east of the Euphrates as the armed force of a Kurdish state that is to be comprised of four different regions. This is the reason why they maintain an army of 70-100 thousand men in that region. The claims for their maintenance to fight against Daesh is not explaining the amount of these soldiers.
And in that context, returning to the terror attack that you mentioned in the beginning in Türkiye. There is much talk in these situations about so-called external forces. I would like to name these clearly. I think that the United States has been supporting the PKK with helicopters in Qandil mountains, it has been delivering intelligence to the terror organization, and it has been saving PKK terrorists from Turkish armed operations in the last minute.
Therefore, I would clearly say that this terror attack has been conducted either under guidance or direct order of the United States of America. This terror attack also resembles another one that occurred some months ago against the Turkish Interior Ministry. In that occasion, a taxi driver had been killed after having driven the terrorists to a certain location. I consider possible there are plans for further terror attacks.
This last terror attack, in my opinion, was a message directed to Öcalan. Though there might be talks between the government and Öcalan or his family, the PKK said clearly that it would not accept being excluded for from that process and that it is the terror organization itself that has the final say on possible. Talks of ceasefire negotiations with the government or constitutional reforms. And it won’t urge Öcalan not to act too much on its own initiative.
Generally speaking, I observe an accelerated process heading towards the presidency of Trump. Trump is in that sense not against the Project of the Greater Middle East, that aims to divide the region’s countries. But he might have a different priority. As you know, Trump wanted to retreat from Syria.