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Free Syrian Army fighters have safe havens in Turkey. In Antakya, they "stride through its narrow streets sunburned and sweaty from the battlefield, hoping to meet benefactors to provide them with money and arms.""Salafi Muslims, who have come to offer help from the countries of the Persian Gulf region, huddle over kebabs, their long beards and robes conspicuous in secularist Turkey."
Ankara officials are largely tight-lipped. Little is said about "rebel fighters" passing freely cross border to Syria and back. Military trucks ferry weapons into Syrian territory.
Turkish authorities deny what independent observers confirm. Officials claim only humanitarian aid is provided. At the same time, Hurriyet daily headlined "PM declares Syria intervention a 'natural right,' " saying:
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Syrian-based Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) elements give Turkey the right to intervene. "We will not tolerate PKK cooperation with other organizations in the area," he said.
This, earlier hostile comments, and Turkey's provocative violation of Syria's airspace suggest Ankara's looking for a pretext to intervene.
Washington calls the shots. Erdogan's a useful tool. He's complicit in US regime change plans. Whether he'll initiate preemptive cross-border attacks remains to be seen.
It's unclear if Israel plans getting involved. Recent tax increases were announced. Mossad-connected DEBKAfile says they're "steps towards a $25-30bn war budget."
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