Arab press: Russian-Iranian rivalry extends to al-Bukamal; US, Russia threatens Turkey

On Saturday morning, Arab press touched upon the Russian-Iranian rivalry in Syria, in addition to European-American pressure on Turkey, and the Turkish intervention in Libya.

'Russian forces enter al-Bukamal'

The beginning of the Syrian issue, and in this context, Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper said: “Russian forces entered al-Bukamal near the Iraqi borders, in conjunction with confirming the presence of their patrols in the Golan, what seemed to be a" reminder "of Iran, which is deploying its militias in southern and northeastern Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the Russian forces opened their first headquarters in the city of al-Bukamal in the eastern countryside of Deir-ez-Zor on the border with Iraq, and the forces stationed in the Tourist Hotel building in the center of the city of al-Bukamal.

This comes after several attempts that were largely rejected by the Iranian militias that control the city, while sources loyal to Damascus said that the Syrian security forces stormed a site of Iranian militias in Deir-ez-Zor and arrested a number of them, and this coincided with the announcement by Russian military personnel that they are helping the Syrian forces. It is patrolling the Golan area in the Quneitra countryside near the "Bravo Line" separating the Syrian and Israeli forces.

'Features of a military confrontation in Libya'

Regarding the Libyan issue, Al-Bayan newspaper said: “The warning of a military confrontation is beginning to loom in central Libya, in light of what observers described as the systematic introduction of aggression by the militias in Tripoli, and in response to GNA’s allegations about a mobilization of the National Army near the Sirte-al-Jufrah line, a military source confirmed In the Dignity Operations Room, what the GNA militia, the Brotherhood's mouthpieces, and the parties linked to Turkey are promoting is incorrect, regarding the existence of a plan to violate the ceasefire by the National Army forces.

In statements to Al-Bayan, the source pointed out that these allegations come within the framework of fabricating excuses to launch aggression by the militias and mercenaries of Erdogan on the Red Line Sirte al-Jufra area, referring to the announcement by the National Army that its forces would enter a state of alert in response to Turkish provocations, and that the army's preparations purely defensive and not aiming to attack.

Observers believe that the allegations of militia officials hide behind a serious attempt to evade the ceasefire agreement, with direct incitement from the Turkish regime, which does not want the Libyan parties to reach a security and military solution that paves the way for a political solution that does not serve its interests.

'Turkey Sanctions Day'

Regarding the European-American sanctions on Turkey, Al-Arab newspaper said: “Europe and the United States simultaneously sent a message to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that they do not accept the de facto policy that Turkey wants to impose within NATO through the purchase of a Russian missile system that contradicts the policy of the alliance. On the one hand, and through exploration for gas in the eastern Mediterranean in waters that do not belong to his country, on the other hand.

European Union leaders agreed to prepare limited sanctions against Turkish figures in a dispute with Greece and Cyprus over energy exploration, and to postpone any tougher steps until next March.

EU leaders have been reluctant to implement the October threat to consider broader economic measures, agreeing instead to a summit statement paving the way for punishing individuals accused of planning or participating in what the European bloc says is unauthorized drilling off Cyprus.

These steps did not go as far as Greece wanted, as its envoys expressed Athena's disappointment with the reluctance of the European Union to target the Turkish economy due to the oil and gas conflict, as Germany, Italy and Spain pushed towards giving diplomacy more time.

Observers believe that Ankara is benefiting from the state of confusion experienced by the European decision, as it found in this confusion an opportunity to continue the challenge and move on its own, despite the controls of NATO membership.

And added "Turkey is the other major headache for Europe," writer David Gardner said in the British Financial Times newspaper that "Turkey is a difficult partner. It is a member of NATO, but it buys Russian air defense systems, and it is a member of the G-20 but hosts Hamas."

The writer considered that Erdogan had concluded that "spreading hard power abroad would serve him better than compatibility with the weak soft power of the Europeans, from Syria to Libya," noting that the Turkish president is bent on "the new Ottoman unity, he is demanding the Aegean Sea and the eastern Mediterranean, and its gas wealth. "

But the matter may be different with Washington, which has not accepted Erdogan's resort to Russia to buy a missile system instead of a missile system approved by NATO, and the US position may become tighter when President-elect Joe Biden takes office next month.

T/S

ANHA