West stands alone in anti-Isis alliance as regional partners slip away

[CJCRANE]

Syria air strikes: West stands alone in anti-Isis alliance as regional partners slip away

EXCERPT:

The international alliance to carry out air strikes against Isis in Syria has, in effect, become a purely Western enterprise with regional partners slipping away as more European states join the mission.

The US and European states had stressed when the military campaign was launched last year that it was vital that neighbours of Syria are part of the coalition. Lack of participation by these countries, it was held, would allow the jihadists to claim that Muslims were under attack from a crusader force.

However, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have moved most of their aircraft to the campaign against Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels. Jordan, which carried out a surge of strikes following the burning to death of one of its pilots by Isis, has done the same. Bahrain last carried out strikes in February; the Qataris are still flying missions over Syria, but their role is modest. Turkey continues to focus more on hitting Kurdish separatists.

LINK Independent UK:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-air-strikes-west-stands-alone-in-anti-isis-alliance-as-regional-partners-slip-away-a6761076.html

[DFW]

1. The Turkish regime is playing with fire

With any luck, they'll get burned badly enough to have to leave power. Plenty of Turks can't stand Erdoğan, and he is just about universally hated by the Kurds. If he keeps up his current direction, my guess he will not depart his position peacefully.

[TwilightGardener]

2. Coalition fail. Good job, guys.