Oct 20, 2013

The Turkish army’s firing of four artillery rounds at positions of the al-Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham [ISIS] in the Aazaz area in northern Syria signals a major readjustment of Ankara’s regional strategy.

At first glance it might appear as a routine reaction to any firing of artillery and mortars into Turkish territory. But the naming of the al-Qaeda-linked ISIS in the statement by the Turkish military command is significant. This is the first time an open warning has been served to the radical Islamist organization that has deployed along the border. Actually, for some time now Ankara has been concerned of the growing presence of ISIS forces including those of Jabhat al-Nusra in the border region. These forces have severed their ties to the Syrian opposition — which Turkey supports — and its military wing, the Free Syrian Army [FSA]. Radicals are now striving to gain the military upper hand and eliminate the opposition to achieve their own agenda.

This situation poses a dilemma for Turkey, which has been supporting the forces struggling against the Assad regime. When Turkey, together with the West, began supporting the FSA and the opposition coalition, radical groups were marginal. But with jihadists coming from other countries they soon became major autonomous forces.

When the United States saw the danger, it placed Jabhat al-Nusra on its terror list and ceased assistance to it. Washington also warned all its allies, including Turkey, of the situation.

To be honest, at that time Ankara did not take Jabhat al-Nusra and similar radical groups seriously. Turkish officials kept up their ‘’open border’’ policy and turned a blind eye to free movement of militants and logistical support to the FSA over its border.