Turkey’s Controversial Conflict Involvement
Tensions between Turkey and the international community have risen sharply in the past week because of their involvement in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and the Libyan conflict.
There is an international consensus that Turkey is now actively involved in the conflict through mercenaries sourced from Syria. Whilst Turkey has denied these claims French and Russian statements have acknowledged their presence in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Canada went so far as implementing a ban on arms sales to Turkey after suggestions that Canadian equipment is being used in the conflict. Despite a call between the Russian and Azeri presidents this morning (supposedly to wish happy birthday to President Putin), there has not been a movement towards a ceasefire and Turkey continues to suggest a ceasefire would necessitate an Armenian withdrawal from “occupied territory”.
Turkey continues to back the Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli, their continued support casts doubt on the viability of durable interim government and ceasefire. The meetings to negotiate the Libyan ceasefire are hosted by the UN and Germany, the tension between Turkey and the hosts is high due to their breaches of a UN embargo and Turkey’s recent activity in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Sources: