Giro Manoyan, the head of Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, is concerned that the Syrian crisis will not come to an end soon, unfortunately.
During the interview with journalists, Giro Manoyan mentioned that this issue has long turned from Syrian domestic issue to a direct clash among several interested parties in the region. According to Mr. Manoyan, this is a political trade, since the United States not agreeing with Turkey’s steps in Syria, does not want to enter into a full confrontation.
At the same time, Giro Manoyan thinks that despite the US decided to give Turkey freedom, it will not allow Turkey everything: “I am not sure that Russia and the United States will allow Turkey to expand that much. This is the red line which the US and Russia will draw before Afrin without a comparison. There are a number of factors: the US does not want their relations to escalate so much as to convert into a clash. NATO member states are now hostages in the hands of Erdogan because of the issue of refugees from Syria. If Turkey wants it can set these refugees free to Europe and there will be a great chaos as we witnessed in 2016. If a pressure is put on Turkey, it will open that tap again.”
Mr. Manoyan finds the announcement of the Turkish authorities on a non-stop military operation to the North of Afrin after occupying the Syrian-Kurdish city of Afrin as a result of the 58-day “Olive Branch” military operation a dangerous one.
Referring to the possible actions by Turkey in the city of Ghamsu near Iraqi border, Mr. Manoyan expressed his concerns it would endanger the security of the local Armenians: “There are still a few thousand Armenians in Ghamshu. And if the actions of Turkey reach there, it means the whole city, as well as the Armenians residing there, will be in danger. There is no immediate danger at this moment, but the fact that Turkey declares the implementation of military actions is concerning.”
Referring to the motives of the actions of Syria in Afrin, Mr. Manoyan noticed: “From one side it is indeed the danger felt by Turkey from Syria because of the Kurdish factor, but nearly the half is done just for internal policy. Therefore, we are going to witness this process until Turkey’s presidential elections in 2019.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
