The trained Syrian opposition members are “expected to fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant [ISIL] and elements of the [Syrian] regime,” Çavuşoğlu said Feb. 19 to answer whether the program also aims to struggle against Syrian regime forces. Turkey and the U.S. were on the same page on this issue, Çavuşoğlu said.
The trained Syrian opposition members would “naturally fight against elements threatening the integrity of Syria,” he said, noting that both “terrorist organizations, especially ISIL and the Syrian regime, are a threat to Syria’s stability. … They both kill innocent people,” he said.
The train-equip deal between Turkey and the U.S. is at the last stage and would be signed shortly, Çavuşoğlu said while speaking at a joint press conference with Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hashim Thaçi.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be sealed by U.S. Ambassador to Ankara John Bass and a Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioğlu within several days, a Turkish official told the Hürriyet Daily News. Sinirlioğlu will travel to Washington next week and a visit by Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu to the U.S. is also planned, the official also said.
Turkey offered a vague definition on the MoU for the target of the trained Syrian opposition fighters, as Turkey insists the struggle should not only be directed against ISIL militants, but also against Syrian regime forces.
Training of the Peshmerga in northern Iraq will also be a part of the MoU between Turkey and the U.S., as 20 Turkish soldiers will participate in the training program of Kurdish forces as part of the struggle against ISIL.
Meanwhile, citing U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Staffan De Mistura’s plan to freeze the fighting in the Syrian city of Aleppo, Çavuşoğlu said Turkey supported the envoy’s plan despite its “flaws” because even one day of a cease-fire would prevent the killing of hundreds of people.
He questioned whether the cease-fire would be practiced by the regime forces.
“A rooted solution is needed in Syria,” Çavuşoğlu said.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should leave power and a national administration should replace him so that a real solution can be achieved the minister noted.........................http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/us-turkey-trained-rebels-will-fight-against-both-isil-and-syrian-regime-turkish-fm-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=78590&NewsCatID=510
19/2/15
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Turkey and the United States have signed an agreement on "train-and-equip" program for Syrian opposition forces....
ReplyDeleteThe deal that has been under discussion for a while between the two countries was inked late Thursday by Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu and the U.S. Ambassador toTurkey John Bass at the ministry's headquarters.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Sinirlioglu said "The agreement is an important step in our common efforts for this strategic partnership. It was important and this is just the beginning."
"We have a lot of things to do, we have a very chaotic situation in our neighborhood and in different parts of the world. So, when we work together, we believe we can make a difference," he added....................http://www.aa.com.tr/en/headline/468028--turkey-us-ink-deal-to-train-equip-syrian-opposition
19/2/15
Turkey says joint U.S. training of Syria rebels to start in March...
ReplyDelete(Reuters) - Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday Turkey and the United States aimed to start a program to train and equip moderate Syrian rebels early next month.
The United States and Turkey signed an agreement on Thursday to train and equip opposition rebels fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/20/us-mideast-crisis-training-turkey-idUSKBN0LO0PG20150220?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews
20/2/15