Terrorism & Security

Syrian offensive in Jisr al-Shughur ruptures key Turkey ties

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had taken to calling his Syrian counterpart 'brother,' says he can no longer defend his ally – departing from a foreign policy of 'zero problems' with neighbors.

By Ariel Zirulnick, Staff writer / June 13, 2011

Syrian refugee men walk in the new refugee tent compound in Boynuyogun, Turkey, near the Syrian border, June 12. Syrian forces launched a crackdown on the Syrian town of Jisr al-Shughur on Sunday, fueling fears that the clashes could spark a further influx of refugees toward bordering Turkey.

Selcan Hacaoglu/AP

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Syria's offensive in the northwestern town of Jisr al-Shughur over the weekend has put major cracks in the regime's relationship with Turkey, a key ally that has absorbed thousands of civilians who have fled the violence.

The offensive, which came in retribution for what Syria said was the killing of 120 soldiers and security personnel last week, signals that the regime has given up even pretending to consider reforms in response to months of antigovernment protests, The New York Times reports.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the "barbarity" of the military unit believed to be leading the crackdown, which is led by President Bashar al-Assad's brother Maher. “After all that has happened, Turkey can no longer defend Syria,” Mr. Erdogan said on TV, according to The Washington Post.

No civilians remain in Jisr al-Shughur (see map), according to a Syrian Army defector who said antigovernment forces tried to block the regime's advance until residents could flee.

Many of the 50,000 residents fled toward Turkey. About 10,000 were waiting near the border on Sunday and at least 5,000 are already being put up in camps across the border in Turkey, Reuters reports.