Why Turkey Doesn't Want To Fight ISIS

Published on Oct 8, 2014

ISIS control has expanded rapidly across Syrian and Iraqi territories, prompting the U.S. and other nations to take immediate military action. Turkey shares a border with both war-torn countries, so why are they hesitant to join the fight against the terrorist group? Is Turkey ISIS's next target?

Learn More:
Republic of Turkey Ministry of Affairs: Press Release Regarding the Raid on our Consulate General in Mosul
http://www.mfa.gov.tr/no_-196_-11-jun...
"It is known that members of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have seized a significant portion of Mosul, including its western bank, as a result of their attacks of the last few days. This morning, ISIL militants have raided the premises of our Consulate General in Mosul and moved its personnel to another area of the city. There were a total of 49 persons in the premises of our Consulate General, including the Consul General, our staff and some family members."

TRAC: ISIS
http://www.trackingterrorism.org/grou...

Turkish Lawmakers OK Military Action Against ISIS
http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/02/world/m...
"Turkey's lawmakers voted Thursday to authorize military force against the Islamic State terror group in Syria and Iraq, opening the door to cooperation with a U.S.-led coalition going after ISIS as its fighters laid siege to towns just south of the Turkish border."

Is NATO Ally Turkey Tacitly Fueling the ISIS War Machine?
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles...
"The lifeblood of the death-dealing Islamic State is diesel fuel. And the group widely known by the acronyms ISIS or ISIL is filling its war chest with millions of dollars earned by smuggling thousands of tons of of this black gold into neighboring Turkey, according to independent analysts and Turkish opposition leaders."

Syria Crisis: Turkey Training Rebels, Says FSA Fighter
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-...
"Just a few months ago, Thwaiba Kanafani was leading a normal life with her husband, six-year-old son and three-year-old daughter in Canada..."

Syrian dissidents convene in Turkey to discuss regime change
http://www.france24.com/en/20110531-s...
"Syrian opposition activists convene in Turkey Wednesday for a three-day meeting to discuss democratic change and voice support for a simmering revolt against President Bashar al-Assad's regime."

Syria and Turkey: A Complex Relationship
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/s...
"Despite being geographic neighbors, Syria and Turkey's political relationship historically hasn't been very close, but things were on the mend - that is, until the Arab Spring hit."