Article

2014-01-19 The Grand Turk

Turkish Police Detain 28 In Anti-Al-Qaeda Op, Raid On İHH Office

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Posted by trailing wife 2014-01-19 00:00|| || Front Page|| [12 views ] Top
File under: Indian Mujaheddin

#1 Is that the time for congressional debates on US aid again?

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2014-01-19 04:14|| 2014-01-19 04:14|| Front Page Top

#2 the Israelis banned it in 2002 and then again in 2008.

Musta left outa comma or a dependent clause first get go.

Posted by Shipman 2014-01-19 09:32|| 2014-01-19 09:32|| Front Page Top

#3 Some possibles, in order of decreasing probability:

1. The IHH has become a political liability to Erdogan and the AKP; this is essentially a "removal of the Brown Shirts."

2. Erdogan and the AKP are trying to remove any form of organized opposition after being hit with the corruption scandal.

3. The IHH is tied in with the AKP's former allies turned bitter rivals, the Gulenists.

4. The IHH is funded by the Saudis. Since Iran is becoming the new best friend with Erdogan's government, the IHH is a liability.

Posted by Pappy 2014-01-19 10:29|| 2014-01-19 10:29|| Front Page Top

#4 I'll take 2.) for twenty bucks, Johnny!

Posted by Fred 2014-01-19 12:13|| 2014-01-19 12:13|| Front Page Top

#5 I should have added this from the Free Beacon article as well:

Turkish police searched an IHH storage facility located near the Syrian border where the group has been suspected of smuggling arms, according to reports.

Less than two weeks before Tuesdays raid, Turkish police stopped a truck laden with weapons on the Syrian border. Under questioning, the driver claimed he was carrying aid on behalf of IHH, according to al Arabiya.

The operation was aimed at preventing the İHH from sending humanitarian aid to Syria, the group claimed in a statement, Turkeys Hurriyet Daily News reported.

I think at least a piece of the motivation is PM Erdogan's determination to remove his former BFF Assad the Younger from power. I also like #2, but doesn't #4 clash with the Saudis support of Turkey's economy ?

Posted by trailing wife 2014-01-19 12:32|| 2014-01-19 12:32|| Front Page Top

#6 TW, my brain hurts trying to reconcile "I think at least a piece of the motivation is PM Erdogan's determination to remove his former BFF Assad the Younger from power" with a) his desire to ally with Iran, which is one of Assad the Younger's two primary sponsors.

Posted by Thing From Snowy Mountain 2014-01-19 13:33|| 2014-01-19 13:33|| Front Page Top

#7 It does, but keep in mind that Turkey is now playing nice with groups it wouldn't have dealt with a couple of years ago. The pipeline with the Iraqi Kurds, for example. Or receiving Iranian delegations.

Erdogan's AKP-government was thwarted when its ideological ally MB in Egypt was overthrown; the Saudis were opposed to the MB. The Saudis may still be supporting Turkey's economy, but I suspect the AKP would like to dilute that support.

Posted by Pappy 2014-01-19 13:33|| 2014-01-19 13:33|| Front Page Top

#8 I'll take option #3...

Posted by Steve White 2014-01-19 15:23|| 2014-01-19 15:23|| Front Page Top

#9 #2 and part of #3. I have no sympathy for IHH, who helped organize and fund the gaza flotillas

Posted by Frank G 2014-01-19 15:44|| 2014-01-19 15:44|| Front Page Top

#10 I think Turkey getting buddybuddy with Iran is part of their strategy to lead the Sunni world, in opposition to Saudi and the Gulf states.

Erdogan is moving against real or suspected Saudi supporters at home.

If Assad wins in Syria, then Jordan is at risk from an Iran funded Paleo rebellion. If it happens and succeeds then oil and gas pipelines from the Arab Gulf are blocked and Turkey becomes the route for Iranian oil and gas at substantially higher prices.

The next few tears will be interesting, especially if Erdogan loses elections.

Posted by phil_b 2014-01-19 17:16|| 2014-01-19 17:16|| Front Page Top

#11 this could simply be a way to extort money from the IHH to vips in Turkey

Posted by lord garth 2014-01-19 19:01|| 2014-01-19 19:01|| Front Page Top

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