[Cid_Yama]

A team of Columbia University researchers from the United States, Europe, and Turkey confirmed last week that the Turkish government has provided to ISIS: military cooperation, weapons, logistical support, financial assistance, and medical services. This detailed investigation was headed by David L. Phillips, Director of the Program on Peace-building and Rights at Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights. He had served as Senior Advisor and Foreign Affairs Expert for the U.S. Department of State.

Here are brief excerpts from the extensive research documenting the direct links between Turkey and ISIS:

1) Turkey Supplied Military Equipment to ISIS

• An ISIS commander told The Washington Post on August 12, 2014: “Most of the fighters who joined us in the beginning of the war came via Turkey, and so did our equipment and supplies.”

• Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, head of the Republican People's Party (CHP), disclosed on October 14, 2014, documents from the Adana Office of the Prosecutor, revealing that Turkey supplied weapons to terrorist groups. He also produced transcripts of interviews with truck drivers who delivered the weapons to the terrorists.

• Cumhuriyet newspaper quoted Fuat Avni as stating that Germany and the United States had audio tapes confirming that Turkey provided financial and military aid to terrorist groups associated with Al Qaeda on October 12, 2014.

2) Turkey Provided Logistical Assistance to ISIS Fighters

• According to a June 13, 2014 article in Radikal newspaper, Turkish Interior Minister Muammar Guler issued the following directive: “Hatay is a strategic location for the Mujahidin crossing from within our borders to Syria. Logistical support for Islamist groups will be increased, and their training, hospital care, and safe passage will mostly take place in Hatay.”

• Britain's Sky News obtained documents showing that the Turkish government stamped passports of foreign militants seeking to cross the Turkish border into Syria to join ISIS.

• A senior Egyptian official indicated on October 9, 2014 that Turkish intelligence is passing to ISIS satellite imagery and other data.

3) Turkey Trained ISIS Fighters

• CNN Turk reported on July 29, 2014 that in the heart of Istanbul, places like Duzce and Adapazari have become gathering spots for terrorists.

• Turks who joined an ISIS affiliate were shown on July 28, 2014, at a public gathering in Istanbul.

• According to Jordanian Intelligence, Turkey trained ISIS militants for special operations.

4) Turkey Extended Medical Care to ISIS Fighters

• An ISIS commander told the Washington Post on August 12, 2014, “We used to have some fighters -- even high-level members of the Islamic State -- getting treated in Turkish hospitals.”

• On October 12, 2014, Taraf newspaper reported that Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat, a founder of Pres. Erdogan’s ruling party (AKP), divulged that Turkey supported terrorist groups and still supports them and treats them in its hospitals.

5) Turkey Supported ISIS Financially Through Purchase of Oil

• On September 13, 2014, the New York Times reported on the Obama administration's efforts to pressure Turkey to crack down on the extensive network of oil sold by ISIS.

• Fehim Taştekin wrote in Radikal on Sept. 13, 2014 about illegal pipelines transporting oil from Syria to Turkey. 6) Turkey Assisted ISIS Recruitment

• OdaTV reported that Takva Haber served as a propaganda outlet for ISIS to recruit Turkish-speaking men in Turkey and Germany.

• Minister of Sports, Suat Kilic, an AKP member, visited Salafi Jihadists who are ISIS supporters in Germany. These Jihadists recruit supporters by distributing free copies of the Quran and raising funds to sponsor suicide attacks in Syria and Iraq.

7) Turkish Forces are Fighting Alongside ISIS

• American investigative journalist Seymour Hersh asserted in the London Review of Books that “Prime Minister Recep Erdogan was known to be supporting the al-Nusra Front, a Jihadist faction among the rebel opposition, as well as other Islamist rebel groups.”

• On Sept. 20, 2014, Demir Celik, a Member of Parliament representing the People's Democratic Party (HDP), stated that Turkish Special Forces had joined ISIS in the battlefield.

8. Turkey Helped ISIS in Battle for Kobani

• Anwar Muslim, Mayor of Kobani, revealed on Sept. 19, 2014 that trains full of Turkish forces and ammunition were delivered to ISIS. On September 30, 2014, a CHP delegation visited Kobani, where locals declared that everything from the clothes of ISIS militants to their guns comes from Turkey.

• A Nuhaber video showed on Sept. 25, 2014 Turkish military convoys, carrying tanks and ammunition, moving freely under ISIS flags in the Jarablus region of Syria and the Karkamis border crossing.

• Salih Muslim, PYD leader of Kurdish fighters, reported that 120 militants had crossed into Syria from Turkey on October 20-24, 2014.

• According to an op-ed written by a YPG Kurdish commander in the New York Times on October 29, 2014, Turkey regularly allows ISIS militants and their equipment to pass freely over its border.

• Diken reported on October 1, 2014: “ISIS fighters crossed the border from Turkey into Syria in full view of Turkish soldiers.”

9) Turkey and ISIS Share a Worldview

• RT reported on October 3, 2014 on Vice President Joe Biden's remarks detailing Turkish support to ISIS.

• Hurriyet newspaper quoted a Turkish civil servant on Sept. 26, 2014: “I was shocked to hear words of admiration for ISIL from some high-level civil servants.”

• An AKP council member posted on his Facebook page: “Thankfully ISIS exists.... May you never run out of ammunition….”

• Erdogan’s son Bilal and Turkish officials met with ISIS fighters, according to Sariyer Gozlem.

It is absolutely unacceptable that while ISIS is committing mass murder in Paris and other European cities, NATO 'ally,' Turkey, is continuing to aid and arm these terrorists. It is high time that Turkey is expelled from NATO and its leaders are indicted and brought to justice for their role in these heinous crimes.

link


Well, shouldn't that make Turkey a prime target in our 'War on Terror' or, at least, our 'War on ISIS'?
Or are they exempt because they belong to NATO?

Well, what is it? Oh, that's right, NATO "fully supports" Turkey. Right. And somehow the Russians are the bad guys.

Makes me want to puke.

[SeaGypsy]

That & have a read of US treason laws. How many of the American administration should be charged with treason? Obama has to be top of the list. Cameron in the UK probably likewise.

[Keith_McClary]

Is there anything new ("updated") since this came out in 2014?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-l-p ... 28950.html

[onlooker]

That is why they call it a proxy war , Turkey does US bidding. You do not want to stand out too much you could be accused of aiding and abetting the terrorists. haha.

[Fishman]

Wow, I'm agreeing with Cid, World's end must be near. There goes a pig flying by my window. Syria, the most convoluted war in history, were our friends are our enemies, our enemies are our friends, our enemies are our enemies. The gas pipeline through Syria is still the key to understanding it. Russia wants a Med port, and no pipeline to Europe. (US or Saudi's) creates a monster that's uncontrollable

[Whitefang]

Nation states do not rule the western empire, it is more an international mob rule of say a few hundred families. The Bilderberg club is the best example.
Governments of the various nations are more like well paid actors selling the wishes of the happy few that rule. Banking/industry/kings and queens that survived the ages.
Ok, Russia Kremlin/KGB is the lone wolf........
Turkish army is controlled by Pentagon, place of NATO power.
Always the same story, rebels topple local elite, create civil war, loot in hands of western banking/industry....NATO steps in, peace by bombing and boots grounded.
Petty little tyrants.

http://www.dailysabah.com/americas/2014 ... ato-summit

Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel will travel to Georgia and Turkey after attending a NATO summit in Cardiff next week, as escalating conflicts in Ukraine, Syria and Iraq dominate his agenda.
Hagel will depart next Wednesday on the six-day trip that will begin with the NATO gathering in Wales, where leaders will discuss "crises in Ukraine and the Middle East, and how to strengthen the alliance for the future," Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters.
Hagel will then proceed to Georgia, a country that has sought membership in NATO, and that "shares our concerns about Russia's actions in Ukraine," Kirby said.
After Georgia, the US defense secretary will fly to Turkey for his first visit as Pentagon chief.
"Turkey is a key NATO ally, and given its border with Syria and Iraq, they share our deep concerns with the... regional threat posed by" ISIS militants, he added.
Before heading to Cardiff, Hagel will stop in Newport, Rhode Island, to deliver a speech at a defense industry conference

[Subjectivist]

Nation states do not rule the western empire, it is more an international mob rule of say a few hundred families. The Bilderberg club is the best example.
Governments of the various nations are more like well paid actors selling the wishes of the happy few that rule. Banking/industry/kings and queens that survived the ages.
Ok, Russia Kremlin/KGB is the lone wolf........
Turkish army is controlled by Pentagon, place of NATO power.
Always the same story, rebels topple local elite, create civil war, loot in hands of western banking/industry....NATO steps in, peace by bombing and boots grounded.
Petty little tyrants.

http://www.dailysabah.com/americas/2014 ... ato-summit

Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel will travel to Georgia and Turkey after attending a NATO summit in Cardiff next week, as escalating conflicts in Ukraine, Syria and Iraq dominate his agenda.
Hagel will depart next Wednesday on the six-day trip that will begin with the NATO gathering in Wales, where leaders will discuss "crises in Ukraine and the Middle East, and how to strengthen the alliance for the future," Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters.
Hagel will then proceed to Georgia, a country that has sought membership in NATO, and that "shares our concerns about Russia's actions in Ukraine," Kirby said.
After Georgia, the US defense secretary will fly to Turkey for his first visit as Pentagon chief.
"Turkey is a key NATO ally, and given its border with Syria and Iraq, they share our deep concerns with the... regional threat posed by" ISIS militants, he added.
Before heading to Cardiff, Hagel will stop in Newport, Rhode Island, to deliver a speech at a defense industry conference

It is not nearly that simple. In 2003 the Pentagon/President offered Turkey everything they could to get permission to invade Iraq from the north as well as the south. Negotiations went on for weeks as Turkey tried to get more than America was willing to give. In the end Turkey refused to allow our army to stage out of Turkey and the entire kit and kaboodle was shipped through the Suez Canal and landed in the Persian Gulf instead.

Turkey and President Obama have what is considered a good working relationship. The very first international leader President Obama called after swearing into office in 2009 was to PM Erdagon of Turkey, who has since moved up to President of Turkey. These kind of relationships open up all sorts of behind the scenes possibilities.

[ROCKMAN]

Sub – “Turkey and President Obama have what is considered a good working relationship.” Good? I would call it EXCELLENT!” LOL. At least from the Turk point of view: they’ve been able to conduct business with and support ISIS from the beginning. And have done so with no interference from the US govt during nearly all that time. Even if the Turks pull completely away from ISIS tomorrow they’ve already gained more than most could guess.

[Newfie]

Cid,

I tried to follow that story back. Got to the relevant Columbia site with link to CNBC site. But CNBC no longer carries the story.

Why?

[Fishman]

And today news comes in that Russia has expanded to a second air base, with at least 4 forward operating bases. Our dorkbrain POTUS comments in France "not the outcome he is looking for.” This is way outside his skillset. Here he was hoping to just let everything slide till he's out of office, but looks like the Russians were counting on that fact also

[Whitefang]

Western arrogance siding with the Turk elite, IS will likely come to a fast end, Irak occupation as well. Arming the Kurds is now being done to prevent Russia from having its beloved club med. Egypt does not jibe anymore with Russian sunbirds.
Israel must be on red alert with Syria falling for East, plenty nukes down there.
Give up the Opium business in Afganistan? Let go of that wet pipe dream?
Kiev soon to be liberated.......

http://sputniknews.com/politics/2015112 ... tions.html

"Putin blew out some steam but subsequently began to talk about coping with the problem. The Turks proved to be resilient and tough but without exaggerating the collision. … So in effect the parties to this unfolding drama have become more reasonable," Brzezinski observed. "But I think it was quite lucky the shoot-down in Turkey was not done by us."

http://sputniknews.com/europe/20151204/ ... ships.html

Three NATO frigates and a US guided missile destroyer have entered the Black Sea in what the US naval command described as part of an ongoing effort to enhance regional stability and a sign of support for NATO member-states, Russian media reported on Friday.
US 'Missile Shield' Ship to Enter Black Sea
The American guided missile destroyer USS Ross is accompanied by three missile frigates, Francis Almejida (Portugal), Blas de Lezo (Spain) and Winnipeg (Canada).
"USS Ross (DDG 71) will enter the Black Sea, Dec. 3, 2015, to promote peace and stability in the region," the US Navy Sixth Fleet's press release said.
It also noted that the ship's mission in the Black Sea would be to provide maritime security and military readiness for US "allies and partners."

The USS Ross is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile cruiser, armed with the Aegis cruise missile system, which is capable of carrying up to 56 nuclear-armed Tomahawk missiles. The ship class is also capable of carrying an SH-60 Seahawk multi-mission helicopter, and has a crew of 337 seamen.
On October 20, the USS Ross intercepted a ballistic missile as part of exercises testing elements of the US missile shield in Europe.
Turkish media said that the NATO naval group had arrived at a time when tensions between Turkey and Russia were at their highest.
During a November 30 meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg pledged full support for “Turkey's right to protect its airspace and borders.”

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/europe/20151204/ ... z3tOb89gXX

[AgentR11]

Feels like Saber rattling which is good for the Turkish populace to hear, makes Erdogan feel safer.

OTOH, reads like, "Mr. Erdogan, we'll be recording all flight tracks over Turkey, you engage a fight not in Turkey, and then claim Article 5, we're gonna publish the tracks and tell you to .......bleep.........." This is especially critical in North East Turkey where the US/NATO would not have unbiased, clear radar data without ships in the South Eastern Black Sea; while Russia has solid missile and air defense in Armenia. However, USN can be very secretive about things, so we may never know where they intend to patrol.

Does also provide at least a possibility that if things go hideously into WW3, that nuclear cruise missiles launched from Sevastopol via the corvettes they have stationed there won't all make their targets. It is kinda annoying how fast this could all go from hunting jihadis to every city in Russia, Europe, and the US laying in ruins...

[AgentR11]

In other Turkey news... apparently the Turks have pushed a unit into Iraq towards Mossul.
Without consent of the Iraqi government. (so says Iraqi PM anyway...)

very interesting......

[Cid_Yama]

A statement from the Iraqi prime minister's media office confirmed that Turkish troops numbering "around one armed battalion with a number of tanks and cannons" had entered its territory near Mosul without request or permission from Baghdad authorities. It called on the forces to leave immediately.

In a separate statement flashed on state TV, the Iraqi foreign ministry called the Turkish activity "an incursion" and rejected any military operation that was not coordinated with the federal government.

Video released on the website of Turkey's pro-government Yeni Safak newspaper showed flatbed trucks carrying armoured vehicles along a road at night, describing them as a convoy accompanying the Turkish troops to Bashiqa.

The forces arrived at a camp near the Bashiqa front lines Thursday night.

The camp is used by a force called Hashid Watani (national mobilisation), which is made up of mainly Sunni Arab former Iraqi police and volunteers from Mosul.

It was formed by former governor Atheel al-Nujaifi, who is close to Turkey.

German Tornado aircraft are to commence reconnaissance flights over Syria and Iraq after the country’s parliament on Friday voted to deploy up to 1,200 military personnel.

Highly unsual measures have been ordered to prevent Turkey getting access to intelligence from the flights, according to Spiegel magazine.

The aircaft are expected to operate from Incirlik airbase in southern Turkey, and as Nato allies, the two countries would normally expect to share intelligence.

But German commanders are concerned Turkey may use surveillance information from the flights to direct attacks against Kurdish forces allied to the West.

link

The US has already distanced themselves from Turkey's incursion into Iraq, which probably means they are up to no good.

[Plantagenet]

A statement from the Iraqi prime minister's media office confirmed that Turkish troops numbering "around one armed battalion with a number of tanks and cannons" had entered its territory near Mosul without request or permission from Baghdad authorities. It called on the forces to leave immediately.

The Brits took the oil-rich Vilayet of Mosul from Turkey back when they were the major colonial power in the Middle East. The quarrel over whether the province of Mosul would remain part of Turkey or if the Brits were going to take it and make it part of their colonial holdings in Iraq was known as the "Mosul Question".

The Mosul_Question


The Vilayet of Mosul used to be part of Turkey

[Tanada]

Seems like Turkey is playing a very dangerous game. If they push too hard NATO may decide they have no need for Turkey to be part of the alliance. Turkey was only accepted as a member because it gave NATO easy access to the Black Sea and a convenient ally on the border of the USSR. Turkey does not border on modern Russia and has been making trouble with Greece for decades. Cyprus is still a mess after decades of dispute between Greece and Turkey complete with an invasion and hostile takeover. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_dispute

[ennui2]

Turkey is a mish-mash of western and islamic state. If they are kicked out of Nato it could have the effect of emboldening radicalization, making it another domino in failed state-hood behind Syria. We wouldn't want that to happen.

[Synapsid]

AgentR11, Cid Yama,

The Turkish battalion that has moved near Mosul has been in Iraq for two or three years as a training force. It moved from Iraqi Kurdistan where it had been working with Peshmerga fighters. The US has known this right along, I believe.

[AgentR11]

That's very interesting, so Iraqi PM guy didn't throw a fit when they were up in the hills; but when they came down near Mosul, near the oil, he went ballistic. Still, they are foreign troops, in Iraq without consent of the government...

[EdwinSm]

According to the Beeb http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35012902

About 150 Turkish soldiers have been deployed near in the town of Bashiqa to train Iraqi Kurdish forces, earlier reports said.

My head is spinning - Turkey is willing to bomb some Kurds, but in other areas will help train their forces.

There seems to be an ever changing system of relationships between smaller groups in the region with allies becoming enemies and then back to allies again, with a history stretching way way back. I am sure there is some underlying reason for this, but the reason seems to be alien to my western influenced way of thinking. When we reach the point of Peak Oil Production seems an easier question to understand