Turkey couples IS bombing runs with striking Kurdish targets. Why the change of heart?

SGM Steve Wettstein — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 23:04:55 -0400

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/2015/07/24/reports-turkish-jets-hit-targets-syria-kurds-iraq/30644763/

It seems from this article that Turkey had more than one agenda when they initiated airstrikes against ISIS. They also decided to attack Kurdish positions in Iraq. Why did they change their stance on attacking ISIS and then attack the Kurds?

Turkey couples IS bombing runs with striking Kurdish targets

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey's sudden willingness to join the fight against the Islamic State group is a sign that it's afraid of losing clout with the U.S.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 25 at 2015 11:07 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 23:07:30 -0400

The Turks are tough and in a tough spot. They don't care for the Kurds. Someone needs to step up against IS.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jul 25 at 2015 11:08 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 23:08:47 -0400

More Middle East coalition, will hopefully bring peace/restoration to the Middle East in due time.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jul 25 at 2015 11:51 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 23:51:21 -0400

The Turks hit ISIS because ISIS attacked the Turkish homeland.

Turkey had not hit ISIS previously (or allowed U.S. strikes on ISIS from Turkish bases) because ISIS was keeping the Kurds pinned down, and Turkey has a sizeable Kurdish insurgency on its hands.

Turkey wants to see Assad toppled, and as long as ISIS was attacking Assad and the Kurds, the Turks were happy. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Although Turkey is in NATO, they are no friend of the U.S. They blocked the 4th ID from going into northern Iraq through their territory during our invasion, removing the northern arm of the pincer and allowing the Iraqi forces to disband and form a resistance movement rather than being destroyed when they still had the will to fight main force engagements. This extended the war considerably.

Turkey has now found that its pet viper can bite the hand that feeds it as well as those the Turks want it to bite.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 25 at 2015 11:52 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 23:52:53 -0400

They detest the Kurds.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jul 26 at 2015 2:45 AM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 02:45:19 -0400

Turkey has had a Kurdish terrorism problem for a while now. "Kurdistan" includes a sizable chunk of Turkey that they aren't willing to give up. I think in Turkey's mind, they can handle ISIS if they try to actually drive into Turkey, so they might as well get some shots in while they can.

It's kinda silly though - IF the Kurds could secure a sovereign area in Iraq and maybe carve out a part of Syria, the problem would largely evaporate. As it was, the existence of the Kurdish autonomous region created a huge drop in conflict. It was also quite stable and peaceful. You'd think Turkey would want that as a buffer between them and crazy land.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 26 at 2015 1:01 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 13:01:22 -0400

Turkey is bombing the Kurds poisons as well as Daesh because there has been a Kurdish faction in Turkey that has conducted an insurgency for perhaps 20 years. The PKK has been a thorn in their side, so it's probably normal that they would go for a two for one.