The survey of the relationship between Turkey and the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria

Transcription

1 The survey of the relationship between Turkey and the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria Mohammad Abolfathi, Maryam Malmir Department of political science, razi university, Iran Received: March 2015 & Published: May 2015 Abstract: In the contemporary world, recent changes in the Middle East are considered as the most extensive changes in the political structure countries in this region. These changes are called the "Islamic awakening" and spring in Arab world" that initially, began of Tunisia and then transferred in other countries such as Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain and Syria. But, in Syria, the conditions were different and trans-regional and regional countries to intervene in the internal affairs of Syria. Turkey is one of these countries that want to reform in the Bashar al-assad government at the beginning of the crisis; but once supported the groups opposing of the Syrian government, especially the Muslim Brotherhood that they wanted to overthrow Assad's government. The major question is whether there is a relationship between Turkey and the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria? The main assumption is in this article which seems that this relation is a kind of pragmatism in foreign policy of Turkey. Keywords: Muslim Brotherhood, Turkey, Syria, Foreign Policy of Turkey 1. Introduction A regional power in crisis in Syria is Turkey that they had fundamental conflict with each other on either side of the river Tigris and Euphrates, as well as Syria supported of Turkey's Kurdish and region of Hatay (Iskenderun). Despite, the controversy before the Syrian crisis was almost solved, and they expanded their diplomatic relations, and occasionally also accused each other of interfering in their affairs. But with the beginning of the crisis in Syria, Turkey, until the middle of the crisis calls for peaceful conflict resolution method, once in keeping with the West and America and other regional powers, while supporting the opposition and conducting some conferences in Turkey for the opposition wants Bashar al-assad relinquishing his power, and even the threat of military attack. Considering that Turkey has a long border with Syria, through the Border, a great aid has been given to the opponents of Bashar al-assad. The largest opposition movement of Assad is Muslim Brotherhood, Which was established of former President Hafez al-assad ( ), who came to power in a coup, and has to exist until now, the period of Bashar al-assad. This group always has been as an anti-government movement. From Turkish politicians, traditional political systems in the region, are not allowed to play a significant role in Turkey, and only with change in the status quo, Turkey can be a remarkable presence in the region. For this purpose, it welcomes to change in the region which led to the rise of the political system as it s desired. In the meantime, Turkey's ruling party, The Justice and Development Party, is close to the Muslim Brotherhood, and supported of affiliated parties to the Muslim Brotherhood, Turkey seeks to export its model, a combination of Islam and Democracy, to other countries in the region, and tends to be as a leader of the Sunni world. Hence, this country is trying to based on a realistic, could be a crucial role in regional equations, and become a major power in the region and the world. 1. The political geography of Turkey: Turkey is thirty-fifth countries in the world in terms of area. Turkish territory consists of two peninsulas, Including the Anatolian peninsula is in Asia and makes up 97% of territory of Turkey, and the European part of Turkey is a peninsula terrace, and has the southern border with Syria and Iraq. It is 877 km border with Syria, so this country is critical for strategic issues in Turkey (Ansari, 1997). So this situation has caused that Changes in Syria is important for this country and this country attempt to control these changes, and turn the situation to its advantage and its national security. 2. Policy issues in relations around water between Turkey and Syria: From the 1970s onwards, a serious conflict between the two countries with Iraq for use of water came over the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The conflict in 1990 simultaneously with construction of the last diversion tunnel of Atatürk Dam reached its peak. Factors that affect the severity of this problem Include: 1. Syrian support for Kurdish Workers Party 791

2 of Turkey (ppk), 2-harboring Turkish Muslim opponents of the Assad regime, 3. Syria's claim to the province of Hatay (Iskenderun). 4. Concern about the extent of economic cooperation between Turkey, and Iraq before the Persian Gulf crisis (Javed Ansari,: 1997). 3. Islam in Turkey: Turkey is a Muslim country, amounting to 90% of the population is Muslim, Most of Muslims are Sunnis, But despite being a Muslim population, politicians in this country chose to manage the country, a secular political system (Javed Ansari, 1995). The Hanafi Muslims in Turkey is very high compared to other Muslims. Shafei also have a branch of Sunni that most of its followers are Kurdish people, Alavi in Turkey are in the minority. A small percentage of Muslims are Shia in Turkey. Turkish Islamic groups operating outside the country is widely felt more strongly in Germany. (Ghasemi, 1996). 4. Turkey's AKP's foreign policy: By the time, the Justice and Development Party came to power (2002) foreign policy was based on That this country must become a major player in diplomatic resolving regional issues, and reliable for the West, Which has the following advantages to Ankara, 1. Sending outside the Turkish domestic threats, 2. Increasing the attractiveness of Turkey's soft power in the region, 3. Turkey has become a significant player for the US and Europe 4. The opportunity to Ankara in the equations of strategic and geopolitical competition. With regard to the factors to be determined Turkish politicians on the basis of its foreign policy with the West, particularly the United States and countries in the region were matched. In the talk of democracy, there is contrast with the situation in Syria to cooperate with the West. Turkish foreign policy in this period; Based on the doctrine of the Strategic Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that its components include: 1. No problems with neighbors, 2. Follow the Turkish Union Europe, 3. Maintain a strategic relationship with the US, 4. Having an active role in the Middle East and becoming as a pattern in the region, in terms of integration of religion and democracy, 5. To become an energy transit pole of in the region; 6. Chance of regional crises (the mediating role) to strengthen the credibility and role; 7. The integrated approach to foreign policy (none of the parts are not replaced), 8. Policy fully inclusive and stable (equilibrium in the foreign relations between countries and regions. (Momeni & khademi, 2013). 5. Strategy of Turkey on the changes in Syria A) Communicating with the current Syrian opposition and trying to understand their needs and a careful study of their ultimate goals the fulfillment of their wishes and yet maintain a relationship with Damascus to convince serious reform. B) Trying to Ankara with the arrival of a number of Syrian refugees in Turkey to barrier to prevent the entry of Syrian refugees which gives the possibility of al-qaida and Kurd elements. C) Accompany international sanctions against Syria insofar as their interests are not at stake. D) Carry out a program of military operations against Syria, if the Damascus military operations do, but Ankara has said it not intending to attack on Damascus. E) whereas Turkey has come to understand that the Syrian government is currently collapse and there is no other way to escape, With the strong support of the Security Council, NATO, the United States and the Islamic Arab society to prevent Syria unrest spread to other parts of the region, including its soil military action does, after a review of the most important factors in deciding on Turkish foreign policy is determined that the purpose of this country to achieve own interests and the role of regional power and become a major factor to international relations and to achieve the desired Whenever it could have changed its strategy proportionate to the objectives and national interests to the international relations act. 6-The positions and actions of Turkey in Syria crisis Although in the past few decades, in the context of regional policy, Justice and Development Party of two Countries had a new chapter in relations between the two countries established, but later, the foreign policy of both countries were influenced by events and changes in Syria (Bayat, 2015). Simultaneously with beginning of the crisis in Syria, at first, approach of Turkey Based on cooperation with the Government of Syria, and help to solve this country's crisis, thereupon, Turkey supported the reforms in Syria and struggled to return stability and peace by help to Assad government. But the Turkish government came to the conclusion that there was no serious intention to reform or in worst position, Bashar could not influence in political structure of Syria to advance these goals, thus, there had been no clear vision for the Assad regime, and they thought 792

3 that the forces opposing will overcome to Assad regime. (Momeni, Khademi et al., 2013: 23) By continuing protests in Syria, The Turkish government's mediator policy changed to the diplomatic pressure on Assad's government, for democratic reforms and attention to the demands of the protesters, and it had an imperative tone. This change in orientation of Turkey can be studied from several perspectives. First, they found that Sooner or later, Syrian government will be fall and opponents will sit on the seat of power. This assessment is the result of a comparison with other changes in the Middle East that their governments collapsed. Second, the Turkish government to understand current changes and wants to outdo the other regional competitors such as Iran, by cooperation with its Western allies, try to precede these internal developments in Syria to its avail, and by this way, became the only super power in the regional variations (Bayat, 2015). The subjects mentioned before, It seems that the Turkish government just review the regional and international situation, and not a clear stance in Syria refuses and look forward to future developments in the region to make decisions on its own foreign policy and this is the best strategy to be followed by its clever policy. 7. Political geography of in Syria: As long time, Syria was the weakest of aspirations state in the Middle East. Its borders were drawn by colonial powers after World War I. Regardless of geographic, political, economic and cultural cooperation in the region (Saaedi, 2015). This country since a long time, was the opposition of influence of western governments and colonial to the Middle East region, including the fight against colonial France and opposed with Sykes-Picot agreement that was divided the Middle East into two regions, in 1916, between French and Great Britain, it can be mentioned. Assad family in Syria since 1970, which came to power, they had always been a supporter of Hezbollah and the Lebanese resistance movement in the area. This has caused to pressure on Syria that is the only Arabic states, which acts independently in decisions and is not affected by any of the western states. Israel's is bordered with Syria and this subject, to increases Syria's importance in the resistance. Arabic countries in the region due to lack of Syria along with their policies in the region, commensurate with the demands of international with these powers, trying to hit the Syrian government and the fall of the regime were that it used to accuse Syria of involvement in terrorism, regional, Sanctions against Syria, and recently also the situation in Syria, armed opposition will follow. 8. The Syria social structure: Social structure Syria mainly composed of four ethnic: Arabs, Kurds, Armenians and Cherkesi. However, Syria's main tribes with their population distribution are as follows: 8.1. Muslims who are divided into several tribes: - Sunnis, which is 70% of the total population and they are living in city of Daraa, Damascus suburb of Damascus, Homs its Suburbs, Aleppo Suburbs. Kurds make up 15% this population and resident in Damascus, Aleppo, the Turkish border, Idlib, chips, Al-Hasakah and Daraa. Although the majority of Syria's Kurds were deprived of a birth certificate because their Living areas are known as the Arab region. But those who had a birth certificate work in strategic areas such as the judiciary and the army. They are mostly Hanafi sect. They involved in military conflict in 1982, between Muslim Brotherhood and Syria's Baath Party Syria's's military. The original inhabitants of Syria's Sunni Arabs, who know their self as main inhabitance, have different religion, including Qaderieh, Naqshbandi, Refa'ieh, Hanafi, Hanbali (Majority) Maliki, Shafi'i Minority). The main Sunni political party is Muslim Brotherhood that its leaders scatter in Iraq, Germany and Saudi (Saaedi, 2015). - Alavi: These are the largest religious minority in Syria they are about 12% of Syria's population. Most of them are living in the cities of Damascus, Aleppo, Lattakia, Tartus, Homs and Hama, Current president Syria's, Bsharasd is Alavi. They are most influential groups in Syria's's power structure and many of them are in control in top situation in party officials, government, military and security services. - Other religious sects are including Shia, Druze, and Ismailis Christians: These tribes constitute 15% of the total population of Syria and they are present at economic centers, banks, media and political institutions; this group live around Damascus, Homs and Lattakia The Jews: Due to pressure from the West, and let them out of this sect in Syria the number of them decreased. 9. The roots of centrifugal and Syria's crisis: In Syria's due to the underdevelopment of the communications infrastructure and the hierarchy of central places in the area is strong national political loyalty. French and English are the separation of the major cities like Syria's, Aleppo, Homs and 793

4 Damascus Mediterranean port of Haifa, Beirut and Iskenderun that previously were associated together, by political boundaries imposed, the overall pattern of regional interaction in the cast are destroyed. Another factor that prevents solidarity Syria, It was an obvious lack of geographical focus, for example, Damascus and Aleppo, until recently, the extent to which they have traditionally been rivals and political parties, with a seat in one of them had tried to gain power in the national level. Damascus wants a relationship with Egypt, But Halabi want a relationship with Iraq that was the perfect opportunity in trade between Asia Minor and Mesopotamia (Saaedi, 2015); However, the roots of the crisis in Syria, including the following factors Authoritarian regime: In these systems, the freedom of citizens overwhelmed by the power of the state to justify the regardless of the wishes of the people and the rulers to implement their own policies; Syria's is one of the authoritarian one-party system is who for many years was operated under emergency conditions Sectarian and ethnic cleavages: The root of Syria crisis is from tribes and ethnic origins people like Armenians, Christians, Kurds, Turkmen, Arabs and Chaldeans, Cherkesi, which created heterogeneous situation in the country Growing extremist Islamism 9.4. Economic factors: In Syria, Due to lack of economic justice and the gap between rich and poor (the inhabitants of towns and villages), as well as high food prices and unemployment, increase the day on, pressure on the Syrian government. (Momeni, Khademi, 2013) Overall, Because Syria is the resistance of the path connecting East and West and the high geopolitical position as a route to transport gas to Europe, also, it is neighboring Lebanon and the Quds occupying regime and has a very close relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran, regional powers and international by applying pressure and sanctions trying to disturb this place to suit their own purposes, Which leads to economic pressure and eventually it is critical for the Assad government. 10. Muslim Brotherhood movement Muslim Brotherhood movement primarily is to the process of political and social history of Egypt, after popularity of thinking separating religion from politics among intellectuals and the spread of nationalist sentiments to reform the situation in Egypt strangulation against England during the 1919's. This movement in 1928 by Hassan al-banna was founded in Egypt and in 1939, relying on Palestinian cause and the rights of the Arabs became a political organization (Aghaei et al., 1987). However, it has established branches outside of Egypt. The first branch Muslim Brotherhood out of Egypt was formed in 1937 in Syria. This relates to the Syrian students in Egypt and kind treatment of member of this movement with them that makes the link between them. This movement was due to the pressure on the Syrian government to mandate had to be divided into different branches, all of them are known as "Shabab Mohamed. This party began forming paramilitary organizations such Sraya and Ftveh. (Al-Husseini, 2009) This Author, in his book, objectives of Syria s Muslim Brotherhood stated as follows which we refer to them. A. Nation of freedom and unity, support the school, the setting the rules of social, economic and cultural, based on Islam. B. The purpose of Muslim Brotherhood Like the other parties was not only promoting slogans of reform but it was just the correction. To achieve this goal, they fought imperialism. C. Muslim Brotherhood in general, and apart from sectarian dissension invites people to cooperate and to condemn any attempt to separate the individual ranks as religion. D. Due to internal problems, they call for a fundamental form of government in the implementation of the rules was impartial. However, in the case of religion, they did not call themselves religious sect and believed that the movement back to the fundamental teachings of religions and religions in particular are common Activity of the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria: The group's activities are in Europe in Aachen. In 1980, by entering socialists, Christian and Alawite Muslim groups in this group, a new organization was developed under name "the National Front" for the Liberation of Syria (Aghaei et al., 1987). However, looking at the history Muslim Brotherhood movement in Syria characterized this movement from the beginning, in the name of Islam to fight the Syrian government and despite the fact that the majority of the Syrian population is Muslim, this government instead of implementing Islamic policies carried out policies that were contrary to Islam. 1. At the beginning of the 1937 Islamic government did not mention. 2. From the political point they wanted to get rid of Arabic and Islamic countries of imperialism. 794

5 3. In domestic politics, they said that the reform of the political system imperfections, such a manner that people can choose their representatives without fear of government (Khosro shahi, 2009). Tactics of the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria is already scoring liberals and secular opposition to Damascus. Through the use of their potential against the Syrian regime comes to power after overthrowing Bsharasd. During three decades this group has a key role in encouraging the opposition of the Muslim Brotherhood who were hiding abroad. The group was involved in the Damascus Declaration, which was founded in But after separation Halim Khaddam, fugitive Deputy of Bsharasd and the flow of Damascus Declaration, joined to Khaddam group (front Watani al-khalis). By the time the 33-day war on Hezbollah and Israel in 2006 and the Gaza war, Brotherhood and Bsharasd government brokered by Turkey and Hamas, came to a reconciliation, But at the same time changes the Arab world, in 2011, with Events in Daraa and Hama, Brothers subsequently re-started their activities and manage protests. In this respect, they use to support of the Turkish government. However their first meeting was in Turkey. The meeting was hosted by the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan and most members of it were of the Brotherhood (Ghasemian, 2015) Behavioral foundations of the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria, as the main opposition group, the Syrian government: 1. The number of Muslim Brotherhood want that the government comes to power in Syria that to be the presenter of Islamic laws as Salafi narrated it. This group even if the Syrian regime falls, unlikely to compromise with Israel. 2. The second group concluded that the future is in the hands of the Brotherhood and therefore it is not necessary to rely on the non-brotherhood. 3. The third group constitutes the majority, by using of the religious feelings of people and money in Saudi Arabia and is in contact with an atheist secretly. This group that Turkey also welcomes them, it seems that they live in a childish game and even if Assad falls, America will not permit the emergence of groups who want to continue the conflict with Israel. 11. Discussion Relations between Turkey and Syria, after Syria's independence was very fragile; This time, with the rise of Justice and Development Party changed and the two countries had a lot of interaction which was derived from a new perspective that Turkish foreign policy was followed. This new approach is based on pragmatism pattern projection and was followed; the result of the developments in Syria's stance was pursued. Despite the fact that at the beginning of the Syrian crisis peacefully pursued their way and the Syrian government has worked to alleviate the crisis, but suddenly they changed their direction by observing the situation in Syria, and supported of the opposition of the Syrian government. Turkish supported of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, because this group, most of whom are Sunni, they are the largest anti-government of Damascus. In addition, they also did not in their remarks emphasis on establishing an Islamic state. These two issues (i.e., age and lack of emphasis on the creation of an Islamic state) which is called Justice and Development Party in Turkey, prompted the Turkish government's support of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, In the hope that in the future, a state as they come to power and Turkey can be also as a leader of the Islamic world. These cases show that Turkey's support for the Muslim Brotherhood is not based on ideology, but also from a pragmatic perspective (realism) in the foreign policy of this country, that try to convert itself into a regional super power in all relationships and surpass other competitors, including the Islamic Republic of Iran. However, based on available evidence and considering the ethnic diversity in Syria, It seems unlikely that the other parties agree to form a government with the Muslim Brotherhood and called on the Turkish that a state to work which is particularly Justice and Development Party. This evidence leads to the opposition international are with Brotherhood movement. References 1. Mokhber, Abbas Pahlavi dynasty and religious forces in the history of Cambridge, 1996, published by Tarh nou. 2. Bakhshaeshei, Aghigh, a hundred years of struggle, progressive clergy Mirza Shirazi, Imam Khomeini, 1995, Qom, of Islam Navid publication (Volume II).. 3. Jafarian, Rasul, political treatises - Islamic Pahlavi period, 2005, Tehran, Islamic Revolution Document Center Publication.. 4. Khaleghi-nejad, Amirhossein, interaction of religion and politics in the oil nationalization, Publication Thought club. 5. Aboutalebi, Mahdi, and the role of religious elements and symbols, 2012, agency Fars. 6. Islamei, Amir, central role of religious forces in the oil nationalization, 2006, Hezbollah. 7. Rahdar, Ahmad, clergy and oil nationalization movement, 2009, fifteen Magazines. 795

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