The tragic loss of life that was witnessed in Turkey earlier this week, when a suicide bomber blew himself up in the middle of a gathering of young activists looking to help Syrians across the border, is yet another reminder that no one is spared by the terrorist movements in this region. All fingers have so far pointed to a Daesh (the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) involvement in the bombing, and if proven, it would be the first major attack by the terrorist group inside Turkish territory. It is unfortunate that such a tragic event had to serve as Turkey’s wake-up call in its relationship with Islamist groups. If Turkey was wise, it would take this opportunity to make a u-turn in its policies towards radical Islamists.
The republic’s foreign policy model of “zero problems with neighbours” has proven to be a major failure in recent years. It is simply impossible to play a neutral role when your neighbours are Daesh terrorists. If Turkey thought that turning a blind eye to those on its territory who facilitate Daesh’s war machine would prevent it from becoming a victim of the group’s murderous agenda of expansionism, the Suruc bombing has proved it wrong.
Turkey may indeed not officially support Daesh or facilitate its advances, but its ties to other Islamist groups, some of which have a murderous agenda similar to that of Daesh, are no secret. It is high time Turkey actively joins the international war against Daesh.
