Link to article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/24/turkey-strikes-iraq-syria-after-attack-on-defence-company-near-ankara
The Turkey air force attacked Syria and Iraq in what they say is retaliation. Turkey was attacked at the headquarters of their aerospace and defense company, and at least 5 were killed and 22 wounded. Turkey’s ministry of National Defense stated that 47 targets were destroyed and precautions were taken to ensure no civilians were harmed. The Syrian Democratic Forces backed by the US stated Turkish air attacks in Syria killed 12 civilians and wounded 25. Turkey states it struck 29 targets in Iraq and 18 in Syria. The goal of the attack was striking Kurdish targets, and Turkey blames a terrorist organization closely tied to the Kurds for the attack on their aerospace defense system.
Turkey is against a Kurdish freedom movement, and in an effort to stop the movement they are attacking Kurds in Syria and Iraq. Turkey also cannot appear weak in the global area, so following the attack they received they felt the pressure to respond. This article is important because it describes a serious conflict between countries in the Middle East. It also displays how Kurdish freedom movements are destroyed. This attack is going to mean further conflict within the region, as Iraq and Syria will feel the pressure to retaliate. This incident makes me think of the Kurds and worry for their future. I feel as if a country will one day attempt to wipe out the Kurds as a whole. The Kurds have historically been a persecuted group of people, and it looks like their situation will only get worse.
Turkey is using hard (military) power in order for Syria and Iraq’s Kurdish population to understand that any freedom movement will be stopped. The goal of immediate compliance does not seem likely though, because Syria and Iraq will most likely just retaliate. Turkey is acting in their national interest to neutralize/stop the freedom movement of the Kurds because that would result in a new state enemy for them and possibly a loss of land. This is the security dilemma – Turkey is claiming to be “securing their country” with their attack, but in turn killing people in other countries. Turkey may have felt forced to retaliate because of the attack they received, but I also believe it could’ve been an excuse to go after the countries’ Kurdish population.