Toprak: “I’m speechless, how idly of Europe occurs against Erdogan”

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Ankara has begun the Syria Offensive. The Kurdish Region threatens to fall into Chaos. The goal of the Operation was to expel Kurds, says the Chairman of the Kurdish community, Ali Ertan Toprak in the DW-Interview.

The Turkish armed forces launched on Wednesday its Offensive against the Kurdish people’s defense units (YPG) in Northern Syria. After intensive artillery and air attacks on the Northern Syrian towns along the border, the Turkish army entered with ground troops across the border. The Turkish military offensive in Northern Syria has been strongly criticised. The Chairman of the Kurdish community in Germany, Ali Ertan Toprak rating in a DW Interview, the developments in Northern Syria.

DW: The third military operation in the North of Syria has begun. It was directed primarily against the Kurdish militia, the YPG. Terrorists will wipe out the Syrian-Turkish border strip “,” it says of the Turkish government. Take Ankara this stated goal?

Ali Ertan Toprak: Turkish President Erdogan has always represented all Kurds as terrorists. The North Syrian Kurds have never presented a danger to the security of Turkey, they have never attacked Turkey; they were far too rather busy in order to defend themselves. He’s in the military operation to combat terrorism is only a pretext to justify an illegal war.

If it is not Ankara, in the Operation to fight against terrorism – what are the interests of the Turkish government then?

First and foremost, it is important to prevent that on the Syrian-Turkish border, a Kurdish corridor, from which a Kurdish state could go. Erdogan’s long-term goal is to Annex the Northern Syrian territories. It is amazing what a neo-Ottoman rhetoric just because it is spoken: In some Turkish media was still being discussed yesterday, whether we should March up to Jerusalem. While Turkish land borders troops crossed, were recorded by the soldiers with the Ottoman janissary music. What an absurd production? With the Operation, a large power can be satisfied-fantasies of the nationalists. It really is a shame. We must not forget that Turkey is an EU candidate and a NATO member.

Tobrak: Erdogan’s military operation an “absurd staging”

There are also, of course, a domestic political Dimension: Erdogan is under pressure. He would like to close with a war, the ranks of behind – even the Opposition has to position itself behind him, because during the war, the Turkish Public expects that all the parties closed in support of the Turkish armed forces.

The military operation, the withdrawal of US soldiers from the North of Syria is preceded. Many critics are of the opinion that the US President, Donald Trump paved in this way, the invasion of Turkey. The Kurds feel let down?

Of course, the North-Syrian Kurds feel left alone – all over the world feel themselves to be Kurds are left alone. Our Relatives and friends in the Region are low – the disappointment is very big. Because the Kurds have not fought in the Syrian civil war only for themselves. You have fought for the security of the West and for Western values. One thing is for sure: Without the support of the Kurds, you would not have defeated the IS. The Kurdish militias in Syria and Iraq were the ground troops of the West.

In the Region may arise after the termination of the military operation a “zone of Peace”. In this Northern Syrian buffer zone for Syrian refugees to be settled. What do you think of this Plan?

Prior to the settlement of ethnic cleansing will take place. The goal is to expel the Kurds. This is a crime against humanity and violates international law. Already the military offensive on Afrin in January of 2018, was accompanied by ethnic cleansing and expulsion – yesterday, the Turkish armed forces invaded so also in the other Kurdish cantons. The whole world has accepted just like that. You should remember the Balkan war, then a war has broken out and NATO intervened, as ethnic cleansing were carried out.

After the start of the military operation – thousands of Kurds on the run

This means that they want more solidarity, or even a interference of the West?

Yes. If the world is watching, will Erdogan put his policy of expansion go on and on. Everybody always Trump, but Germany and Europe are also to blame. The EU-Turkey Deal has nothing to causes. It is absurd to support the Turkish government with billions of taxpayers ‘ money, although she now deals with this Operation, the new escape movements. I’m speechless, how idly and weak Europe speaking out against Erdogan. At the latest, this week, the foreign Ministers of the EU would have had to fly to countries to Ankara. NATO membership would immediately be called into question. The Turkish President not only understands clear messages – it must be made clear of the consequences. This “Appeasement policy” must end, we need an active peace policy. The events in Northern Syria affect us all, there will be new refugees will come to you and you also Islamists.

There is talk of civilian casualties and thousands of people are due to the military operation on the run. Your community is in contact with the Affected site?

Many members of our parish have relatives in the Region. You have told us of the first air attacks. But at some point, the phone aborted connections – the Turkish authorities have cut off. I’m sure that there will be a humanitarian disaster. Thousands of people have already Packed their belongings and forced to flee. You stand with your back to the wall. But one thing makes me still hope: We have received so many friendly letters: We feel everywhere solidarity in Germany, many stand with us.