24-11-2015, 06:24 PM
Who are the Turkmen that are reported to have killed two Russian pilots?
Downing of Russian jet throws spotlight on ethnic Turkish minority fighting with Syria's rebels
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnew...rkmen.html
By Louisa Loveluck and Richard Spencer
4:20PM GMT 24 Nov 2015
The [size=12]downing of a Russian fighter jet on Syria's Mount Turkmen[/SIZE] has thrown the spotlight on to its inhabitants, part of the broader Turkmen community that stretches across northern Syria and Iraq.
In Syria the Turkmen, who are linguistically and ethnically Turkish, live alongside Arabs and Kurds, but have mostly aligned with non-jihadist anti-Assad rebel groups.
They historically objected to the Arab nationalism of the Assad regime's Baath party, which stressed assimilation to the Arab language and culture. In turn, the regime has frequently regarded them as a fifth column working in favour of Ankara.
Around a dozen Turkmen militias have formed, some directly supported by the [size=12]Turkish[/SIZE] government. It is one of these, Alwiya al-Ashar, that is [size=12]reportedly holding one of Russia's downed pilots.[/SIZE]
They have been fighting alongside other rebel groups, including the al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra and more moderate brigades, in Latakia province which runs to the sea along the Turkish border in the north-west.
In recent days, thousands of civilians have fled over the border, saying they feared Russian bombing raids in support of regime forces in the area. Another 5,000 arrived at a refugee camp at Arfali, on the Syrian side of the border.
According to the governor of the Turkish province of Hatay, Ercan Topaca, 28 civilians arrived injured and one died in hospital.
The [size=12]clash that led to the downing of the Russian jet today[/SIZE] may be connected to that fighting.
Alwiya al-Ashar is linked to a Turkish and CIA-backed logistics supply programme that funnels a near-constant stream of small arms, ammunition, and cash for salaries to rebel groups across northern Syria.
Downing of Russian jet throws spotlight on ethnic Turkish minority fighting with Syria's rebels
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnew...rkmen.html
By Louisa Loveluck and Richard Spencer
4:20PM GMT 24 Nov 2015
The [size=12]downing of a Russian fighter jet on Syria's Mount Turkmen[/SIZE] has thrown the spotlight on to its inhabitants, part of the broader Turkmen community that stretches across northern Syria and Iraq.
In Syria the Turkmen, who are linguistically and ethnically Turkish, live alongside Arabs and Kurds, but have mostly aligned with non-jihadist anti-Assad rebel groups.
They historically objected to the Arab nationalism of the Assad regime's Baath party, which stressed assimilation to the Arab language and culture. In turn, the regime has frequently regarded them as a fifth column working in favour of Ankara.
Around a dozen Turkmen militias have formed, some directly supported by the [size=12]Turkish[/SIZE] government. It is one of these, Alwiya al-Ashar, that is [size=12]reportedly holding one of Russia's downed pilots.[/SIZE]
They have been fighting alongside other rebel groups, including the al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra and more moderate brigades, in Latakia province which runs to the sea along the Turkish border in the north-west.
In recent days, thousands of civilians have fled over the border, saying they feared Russian bombing raids in support of regime forces in the area. Another 5,000 arrived at a refugee camp at Arfali, on the Syrian side of the border.
According to the governor of the Turkish province of Hatay, Ercan Topaca, 28 civilians arrived injured and one died in hospital.
The [size=12]clash that led to the downing of the Russian jet today[/SIZE] may be connected to that fighting.
Alwiya al-Ashar is linked to a Turkish and CIA-backed logistics supply programme that funnels a near-constant stream of small arms, ammunition, and cash for salaries to rebel groups across northern Syria.
Martin Luther King - "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
Albert Camus - "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion".
Douglas MacArthur — "Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons."
Albert Camus - "Nothing is more despicable than respect based on fear."
Albert Camus - "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion".
Douglas MacArthur — "Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons."
Albert Camus - "Nothing is more despicable than respect based on fear."