SYRIA thread

[Kralizec]

It's pretty certain the bomber was a Kurd, the real question is whether or not he was involved with the YPG. A Kurdish terror organization called TAK (Kurdistan Freedom Falcons) has claimed responsibility while the YPG denies it was involved, however like you said Turkey is itching for an excuse to invade Syria and destroy the YPG so they claim the bomber was a Syrian Kurd who entered Turkey from Kobani.

I read that Turkey's prime minister said today that TAK falsely claimed the attack, and that it was really the YPG.

I've wondered about this puzzle before. Is there any logic at all in carrying out a terrorist attack and then denying responsibility for it? To me that would seem pointless. Unless it's a false flag operation by intent, but I don't see why the YPG would want extra military action against Turkey's Kurds.
The simplest conclusion I can see is that TAK really did it, and that Turkey's government is just spinning lies to justify retribution against YPG.
The other possibility is that YPG's leadership was ignorant about the attack, but that some isolated cell under the YPG umbrella did it without consulting the leaders of the organisation.

Turkey in general doesn't have a very strong hand here. At best they might get a few concessions, but they will probably be left with their influence diminished overall after this in the best scenario.

Might be good for them in the long run, cause it might undermine Erdogan's position.

Turkey has managed to alienate almost every country in the region, plus Europe, since Erdogan has gained power. I agree that their influence will probably deteriorate further, regardless of the outcome in Syria. Sadly past experience suggests that Erdogan will just wallow in isolation, caring even less about what the world thinks of him. Maybe imprison some more journalists, professors or whoever else hurts his feelings