Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 12
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
The terrorist attack in Ankara on October 10 is considered as the bloodiest terrorist attack in the history of modern Turkey.
Some 96 people were killed and more than 240 people were injured as a result of the terrorist attack.
The organization that committed this terrorist attack is currently unknown but according to preliminary data, the Islamic State (IS) is responsible for this attack.
Whoever was responsible for the terrorist attack, not only the peaceful population suffered, but the image of the Justice and Development Party was greatly tarnished as a result of the attack in Ankara. The interior minister and the minister of justice are expected to resign today.
Taking into account that almost three weeks are left before the parliamentary election in Turkey, there is such an opinion in the country that the country's opposition parties will try to take an advantage of the terrorist attack.
As a result of the terrorist attack in Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan canceled a visit to Turkmenistan, where he planned to discuss the Trans-Caspian pipeline construction.
Moreover, amid the political and energy disputes between Russia and Turkey, several political circles are discussing the explosion in Ankara as not an accident on the eve of President Erdogan's visit to Turkmenistan.
Earlier, President Erdogan said that if necessary, Turkey could purchase gas not only from Russia. Following Erdogan's statement, the Iranian side made a statement that Tehran can increase the natural gas supply to Turkey. After the terrorist attack in Ankara, Iran also made a statement that the terrorist attack in Ankara is the visible part of the terrorists' activity in the region and Tehran hopes that Ankara will reconsider its policy towards the region.
This is nothing but a signal to Ankara that Turkey must change its Syrian policy.
It is a matter of time whether Turkey will change its Syrian policy or not. Moreover, following his visit to Moscow, President Erdogan made a sensational statement saying that the interim government with President Assad may be formed in Syria.
Of course, before the election Ankara, represented by the Justice and Development Party, cannot change its Syrian policy but it is not excluded that this may happen after the parliamentary election if the Justice and Development Party wins.
If we consider the recent terrorist attacks in Turkey, one can see the Syrian factor in almost all cases. And this gives a reason to say that sooner or later Ankara will have to join the Russian-Iranian coalition against IS even if it gives up its interests in Syria.
In fact, only the probable alliance among Turkey, Iran and Russia can finally destroy the growing terrorism in the region.
Iran has close ties with the authorities of Syria and Iraq. Tehran did not forget Ankara's support when the EU countries imposed sanctions against Iran's oil and gas. In fact, Turkey is a country that supported Iran in foreign trade. Moreover, Turkey was making efforts during the talks between Iran and the "Six".
The participation of Muslim, Sunni Turkey in the hostilities against the IS together with Iran and Russia will break the stereotypes that the Shia - Sunni confrontation is supposedly observed in Syria and Iraq.
Turkey's participation in the Iran-Russia coalition against the IS may limit the Western influence in the region. Actually, this is in the interests of Ankara, Moscow and Tehran.
It is clear that despite the loyal policy of Ankara, Tehran and Moscow towards the West, the West makes its own estimations proceeding from its principles.
Ankara, Moscow and Tehran have much in common, including the energy and economic relations. But the controversial point is the Syrian crisis.
Taking into account the common interests among the sides, one can say that an alliance among Turkey, Iran and Russia is inevitable amid the events in the region and the growing threat of terrorism and radicalism.
Edited by CN
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Rufiz Hafizoglu is the head of Trend Agency's Arabic news service, follow him on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
