R. Safrastyan – Istanbul attack is result of Turkey’s cooperation with IS

YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. Turkey has cooperated with the “Islamic State”, that’s a fact, however in the past one and a half year it has changed its policy in Syria and is forcibly taking measures against the “Islamic State”, says director of the Institute of Oriental Studies Ruben Safrastyan, adding that the recent terror attack in Istanbul is the “handwriting” of the “Islamic State”. Turkey has also announced this.

“In my opinion, this isn’t only revenge against Turkey, but is also a row of operations, which aim at impacting Turkey’s policy. These terror attacks attempt to have large number of victims to achieve the increase of the population’s dissatisfaction. In addition, the terror target wasn’t selected accidently. It happened in an international airport, in an attempt to strike Turkey’s international reputation”, he said.

According to Safrastyan, the Islamic State aims at impacting Turkey’s foreign policy in Syria with these kinds of actions. Now Turkey is cooperating with the Jabhat Al Nusra terrorist organization. The assistance of this organization, according to Safrastyan, has a specific goal – the blockade of Aleppo, capture of Aleppo done through Al Nusra. Safrastyan says the Islamic State and the Al Nusra are competitors. Therefore the Islamic State is attempting to impact Turkey’s policy.

“As the recent experience shows, similar terror attacks will continue in Turkey. It is unfortunate that innocent people lost their lives, but if we describe this in a geopolitical sense, then Turkey gets what it deserves. It entered the Syrian game, took sides with terrorists, and used them for its goals”, Safrastyan said.

Three suspected Islamic State suicide bombers opened fire and blew themselves up in Istanbul's main airport, killing 41 people and wounding 239 on June 28.