AKP fails to understand importance of Syria for Russia: CHP leader

ANKARA

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Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has accused the Turkish government of misreading regional developments, saying the Justice and Development Party (AKP) failed to “understand the importance of Syria for Russia.” 

Speaking in a televised interview late on Oct. 7, Kılıçdaroğlu expressed concern that a broader “hot conflict” could erupt in the Middle East, with the greater involvement of both Russia and China. 

He stressed that the CHP “does not want clashes in the region,” which could trigger a “third world war.” 

The AKP bears some responsibility for the current delicate situation, he added, slamming it for a “major misreading of the Middle East and world politics,” Kılıçdaroğlu stated, claiming that Ankara misunderstood how important Syria is for Russia.

Stating that the Bashar al-Assad regime is the “legal government of Syria,” the CHP head added that it was the Syrians themselves who invited the Russians to get more involved in the conflict.