— Max Abrahms (@MaxAbrahms) March 18, 2018CAIRO – 19 March 2018: Fifty-eight days after Ankara instigated a brutal and multifaceted campaign against the Kurdish YPG, the Turkish army and its allied mercenaries have raised the Turkish flag in Afrin city centre. The Turkish army’s operations in Syria have seemingly introduced a growing air of confidence in Ankara, leading to a resurgent breath of belligerence by Erdoğan. Contrary to global norms, Erdoğan dreams of Turkey returning to a leading global position, as was held during the Ottoman Empire. Moscow has always stressed the importance of respecting Syria’s territorial integrity, and is legally justified in denouncing the involvement of foreign actors in Syria. The Syrian government has previously said it will resolve the Kurdish question in Syria after conflict in the country has subsided.

Source: Egypt Today March 19, 2018 14:48 UTC