We've been watching Syria over the past few weeks - were you aware it would escalate to this?
Details in link below
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443768804578034372539783626.html
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Why would these two nations have reason to open fire on one another? What are the deeper issues involved here? Aren't they of the same religion / culture?
Syria and Turkey have always had their odd issues in the past but nothing to this matter.Sources say that it is because of the syrian people that have escaped and are explaining what is going on in syria,that the syrian government doesn't want people to know.So with all the "great" ideas the syrian government has had in the past why not bomb the refugees that are explaining what is going on. I feel the allies of Turkey should go into Syria and clean up this mess in the country before more blood is dropped
ReplyDelete1)Telegraph.co.uk
2) www.guardian.co.uk/.../2012/oct/.../syria-turkey-great-powers
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ReplyDeleteAs you are all aware there is a huge conflict going on in Syria. In the article Mr. Forsyth posted Syria began mortar attacks on Turkish border towns. This is one of many conflicts affecting Syria right now, on the 3rd of October three suicide bombers who claim to be a part of an al-Qaida-linked group, Jebhat al-Nusra. This is about the same time Syria launched shelling attacks towards Turkey.
The U.N. has condemned these attacks on the country’s city and represents a key concession by Russia, Syria's top ally, which has vetoed three council resolutions in the last few months in hopes of ending this civil war that has reportedly left 30,000 dead. [1] Upon the shelling Syria began against Turkey, the country began mortar attacks of their own into Syria. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Syria not to test Turkey's "limits and determination" and has persisted in saying that his country "was not bluffing" with its warnings. [2]
This must come to an end, all this fighting and bloodshed over politics, religion, oil, money and food. If this world is to be (For lack of a better term.) saved, then all of us need to get along. In the past we’ve seen how redundant and petty it is to kill another man over his beliefs. So when can we start? Will we ever? Or are we as the human race damned to just repeat this cycle over and over again until we are extinguished. Are we not civilized and respectful enough to look past something like someone’s hair, skin colour, religion, income or whatever and recognize were all just people?
Sources:
1 - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/05/syria-crisis-un-condemns_n_1942971.html
2 - http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/10/06/syria-turkey.html
I agree very much with what you are saying. We need to start caring about each other and fighting over every little thing. We keep going this way, our world will only get worse and just result in more deaths of innocent people. We need to start accepting differences, and realizing there are more important things to worry about than how people look and what they believe.
DeleteThis is an example of what happens when two countries with obvious tension between them let their anger and hostility towards each other grow unchecked. Benjis is right, we need to start caring for our fellow human beings and stop destroying each other for trivial reasons.
ReplyDeleteThis is my weekly post:
ReplyDeleteI believe that these two nations think that the only way they are going to be able to express their views and opinions as well as getting one side to listen is to open fire at each other. Obviously this is not going as well as many people have died already and as of today (07/10/2012), it is the fifth day of these two countries firing at each other. (1) For those that do not know what is happening right now I shall try to sum it up in the best way possible:
Over in Syria there is something going on called an uprising and it’s kind of a big deal. Basically there are forces that are loyal to this government party called the Ba’ath party and of course there are people who do not like this party and their views, so naturally they disagree. It has been going on for about a year and a half and it is still going on with many casualties (about 31 thousand), and even more refugees (about 1.5 million). But what does this have to do with Turkey? You may be wondering yourself, well, let me connect the dots for you. Obviously Syria isn’t the greatest place to be right now so many of the refugees are fleeing the country and crossing the border to other countries and one of these countries is Turkey. Turkey, not liking what is going on in Syria, understands that people want to get out of there but because there are Syrian refugees in their country they are now involved in this. On October 3 2012 Turkey attack troops of Syria because of retaliation after a Syrian mortar bomb killed 5 people. And basically there has been some little fighting along the Syrian and Turkish border. (2)(3)(4)
But now going back to the main discussion, I believe the deeper issue involved in here is the fact that this could escalate into a big problem, potentially war. The Turkish government even stated that “We are not interested in war, but we’re not far from it either.” (3) Both countries do share a majority of the same religion with Islam being the most practiced religion in both countries. I believe because of this many of the refugees in Syria are going to Turkey the most because of the easy transition it is to fit in and share the same views. Just like everything else time will determine what will happen next. In the meantime we are just going to have to wait to see the outcome.
Sources:
1.http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1267978--turkish-artillery-fire-at-syria-for-fifth-day-after-mortar-lands-inside-turkey
2.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war
3.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria%E2%80%93Turkey_relations
4.http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/03/world/europe/turkey-syria-tension/index.html
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ReplyDeleteThe town of Akcakale, Turkey was “hit by artillery fire belonging to the Syrian regime forces,” said Prime Minster Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, in a clear placement of blame for the shelling attacks (1) that occurred on Wednesday evening. The attacks left five Turkish citizens killed, including a mother and child; nine people in total were wounded. (2) In response to the attack, Turkey retaliates by putting pressure on the Syrian government. As rebels targeted security forces in Aleppo they set up a series of bombings, that left 33 dead. Syria on the other hand, has pulled all tanks and other military equipment away from the border. A Turkish Foreign Ministry official said “the weaponry was moved far enough to remove the perception of threat.” (3)
Only two years ago, these two countries- enjoyed bilateral relations. The neighbouring countries instituted visa-free travel for their citizens, and cross-boarder trade was booming. The diplomatic relations deteriorated months after the Syrian uprising began. The two presidents of the countries experienced a series of disputes as well, possibly further extending the blame for the shelling attack on President al-Assad. So, the question revels itself at the heart of the violent actions: why would President al-Assad decide to upraise the opportunity of warfare with neighbouring country, Turkey?
In addition, Turkey is currently hosting more than 93 000 Syrian refugees in camps. Turkish officials estimate another 40 000 to 50 000 unofficial refugees live in Turkey, outside the established refugees camps. (1) The U.S also sided with Turkey, condemning the aggressive actions of the Syrian government. They believe that Turkey’s response was appropriate and that the U.S. stands by Turkey, proving their loyalty to NATO allies.
Providing the statistics following the Syrian uprising and recent attacks on neighbouring country- Turkey, I believe implementing a new system of government and improving the quality of life for citizens in the country could provide a dramatic improvements in the countries overall development.
Sources:
(1) http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/03/world/europe/turkey-syria-tension/index.html
(2)http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443768804578034372539783626.html
(3)http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Syrian+regime+opens+urban+warfare+front/7352617/story.html
This is my weekly post.
ReplyDeleteThe recent events taking place throughout Syria and Turkey are shocking. I was unaware any sort of political uprising had begun in the first place. The recent attack seems rather uncalled for, however. The two regions had always had their differences, but this incident could not have been predicted. Was difference in religion a possible cause for the attack? The majority of Turkey hails to the Islamic belief system, where as Syria has a more open-concept belief system. Tension between the varying beliefs could have played a part in the, somewhat, civil uprising. Shelling anyone, for any reason, is completely un called for and inappropriate. But Syria and Turkey do have conflict dating back to at least the 1970’s. In light of that, Turkey may have had justification for it’s actions.
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/turkey/Religion-in-Turkey/156
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/syria/syria-religion
I agree with Chris and Hannah. I believe that by open firing at one other, these two countries are not creating a political standpoint on which either should be proud. Both are condoning violence as a means of solving problems and are just illustrating themselves as being hostile countries on the world’s stage. As Chris stated, a highly likely and detrimental outcome is war. Should the U.S stand by Turkey, the likelihood of Syria coming out of the war even slightly okay is slim to none. Such a war would have devastating effects on the country of Syria and its people
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