Protests in Istanbul and in many Turkish cities against Ankara’s decision give the go ahead to military action in Syria. The UN affirms that the crisis in Damascus influences the stability and peace in the region.

Istanbul (AsiaNews) - The UN Security Council has condemned the attack on the Syrian border with Turkey that killed a family of five people in the town of Urfa Akcakale. The statement stresses that the Syrian crisis is having a serious impact on the "stability and peace in the region."

Meanwhile, the Turkish parliament held an emergency meeting yesterday in Ankara, authorizing military action in Syria. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has nevertheless stated that his country "does not want to start a war with Syria." This sort of "double truth" is necessary for the Turkish government the huge demonstrations across the country against the war, with protesters accusing Erdogan of being in the pay of the Americans and the West.

The statement of the Security Council was softened by Russia - an ally of Damascus - which has appealed to Turkey to difuse the tension. Iran also called on "the two parties to show restraint."

The Syrian ambassador to the UN pointed out how the Security Council was not so ready to condemn "suicide attacks terrorists who struck the city of Aleppo."

In an attempt to dampen any escalation that could lead to war, yesterday the Damascus government apologized for the attack on Akcakale, calling it a "tragic accident" that will not be repeated.

Since the beginning of the uprising in Syria, Ankara has supported the anti-Assad rebels, giving them hospitality within its borders and allowing the flow of weapons and money. But in these days with the threat of it exploding onto a regional conflict, a new factor has emerged in the large anti-war demonstrations held in Istanbul, Izmir, Mersin, Eskisehir by different groups. In Taksim Square in Istanbul (see photo), thousands of people shouted slogans in favor of peace and refusing to be "soldiers of imperialism." Some banners accused Erdogan and his party of being a puppet of the United States. According to the protesters, the West and the United States do not want to get involved in the Syrian crisis and instead are pushing Turkey to do so. The protesters also revealed that the government, instead of getting involved in a war against Syria, should ensure freedom and security for the Kurdish community, which is located near the border with Syria.

 

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