Turhan Dilmaç: ''Turkey has been the target of Daesh since the creation of terrorist group''
Consul General of Turkey in the newspaper column of Realnoe Vremya tells about the fight against ISIS
International terrorism remains one of the global problems. The head of the FSB has recently reported on the continuing threat for Russia and other states from ISIS (the organization banned in Russia). Consul General of Turkey in Kazan Turhan Dilmaç in today's newspaper column written for Realnoe Vremya tells about the position of their country against this terrorist organization. Our columnist gives a brief report about how the Republic of Turkey is fighting against the militants on its land and the territories of neighbouring states.
Terrorist attacks have started to take place with depressing frequency in cities around the world in recent years. We still have memories of the bitterness of the terrorist act that occurred in April at the metro station of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, St. Petersburg, and claimed the lives of 15 innocent people. Over the past year alone in the result of terrorist acts organized by Daesh (ISIS, the organisation banned in Russia — editor's note), in 23 countries 1,520 people were killed and 3,281 people injured. Lately, my homeland — Turkey — has also been attacked by various terrorist organizations.
This circumstance underlines the importance of bilateral, diverse global cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
Today I would like to tell the readers of the online newspaper Realnoe Vremya about the position of Turkey, the country which wages the successful fight against various terrorist organizations headed by Daesh, PKK (the Kurdistan Workers' Party) and FETÖ (the Gülenist Terror Organisation), on this issue.
Definitions and terms are very important
Instead of the name ''Islamic state'' Turkey prefers to use the Arabic acronym ''Daesh''. Because we consider it wrong to use Islam — the religion that exalts peace and brotherhood — in one row with the names of terrorist organizations. Turkish President Erdoğan also gives it a special meaning.
''We consider it wrong to use Islam — the religion that exalts peace and brotherhood — in one row with the names of terrorist organizations. Turkish President Erdoğan also gives it a special meaning.'' Photo: tvc.ru
Daesh exploits the religion to ''fight against Islam in the name of Islam''
The distorted religious ideology of the terrorist organization Daesh, which calls itself ''the only'' representative of all Muslims in the world, has nothing to do with Islam and the culture of the region as a whole. This ideology is totally opposite to the belief of Turks and Russian Muslims, including our brothers — the Tatars.
In fact, Muslims in different countries of the world, receive the greatest harm from the violence of Daesh, directly or indirectly.
The fight of Turkey with Daesh that represents a real global threat
Turkey is leading a multifaceted fight against Daesh. Due to the recent raids on cells of Daesh in Turkey, cross-border military operations in Iraq and Syria, the terrorist organization has suffered serious damage.
Turkey has suffered from the actions of the terrorist organization Daesh most of all
Turkey has been the target of Daesh from the moment of the creation of the terrorist group and continues to remain until today. In the result of 14 terrorist acts carried out in different time in different cities of Turkey by the terrorist organization Daesh, there were claimed 304 lives and about 1,500 people were injured. Besides, 22 terrorist attacks were prevented, including attacks by suicide bombers.
From Turkey there were deported 4,957 people from 99 countries, including Russia, who tried through Turkey to reach the combat areas, there have been imposed a ban on entry of 54,000 people from 146 countries, including from Russia.
The activities of 12 organisations were terminated, 2,564 accounts in social networks associated with Daesh were blocked.
Today one of the most effective steps against Daesh has been held by the Turkish army's military operation Euphrates Shield, which lasted for 216 days; 67 Turkish soldiers were killed during the operation.
Turkey has played an important role in the international coalition against Daesh, it has taken an active part in the fight against this organization, provided the coalition air base with aircrafts, taken part in different air operations.
Besides, Turkey has provided shelter to more than 200,000 Iraqis and more than 3 million Syrians who fled the violence of Daesh and other terrorist organizations.
''One of the most effective steps against Daesh has been held by the Turkish army's military operation Euphrates Shield, which lasted for 216 days.'' Photo: cezarium.com
Is it possible to fight against one terrorist organisation with the help of other terrorist organisation?
One of the problems existing in the fight against terrorist organisations headed by Daesh is the use of this fight as a tool to realize short-term interests.
The idea of exploiting other terrorist organisation in the fight against Daesh is naive, to put it mildly.
The terrorist organisations PYD (the Democratic Union Party) and its wing YPG are the Syrian wing of the terrorist organisation PKK. It is the terrorist organisation that has been conducting terrorist attacks for years, including the attacks of suicide bombers. It captures and kills innocents teachers and workers. It is no secret that on the part of Syrian territory being under the control of YPG, this terrorist organisation does not recognise the right for life of those who do not support their ideology. Taking all this into account, attempts of some out allies to position this organisation as ''democratic'' are not convincing.
For this reason, the terrorist organisations Daesh, PKK, PYD, YPG, Al-Qaeda, Al-Nusra Front, FETÖ, no matter what name they have – they all are bloody and anti-human organisations posing a threat for the humanity. Under no pretext, we should fight against one terrorist organisation with the help of other terrorist organisation.
''Turkey is leading a multifaceted fight against Daesh. Due to the recent raids on cells of Daesh in Turkey, cross-border military operations in Iraq and Syria, the terrorist organization has suffered serious damage.'' Photo: vestikavkaza.ru
And the last thing
Despite the fact that due to recent military operations the activities of Daesh have been seriously undermined and the area of its influence has been severely limited, it remains a global threat. In order to eradicate Daesh completely, first of all, it is necessary to deprive Daesh the sources of funding and supply of workers, with which the organisation is fueled in cooperation with regional and international partners. It is imperative in the future to conducts a wise and balanced policy in this matter.