Attacks by paramilitary groups affiliated with the Syrian Interim Government on the Şêxmeqsûd and Eşrefiyê neighbourhoods of Aleppo have drawn international condemnation. 

 

Speaking to Medya Haber about the attacks, Professor Louis Lemkow, a sociologist at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, stated that the attacks reveal Turkey's expansionist policy. Lemkow also reacted to the European Union's (EU) weak stance against the attacks. 

 

TURKEY'S EXPANSIONIST POLICIES 

 

Lemkow said that what is happening in Aleppo is "great concern," adding, "I think it expresses very clearly Turkish expansionist policies in the region, we know that, and I think the Kurdish people have suffered directly from the way in which the Turkish government has systematically behaved, not just in their own borders but outside, particularly in Syria, and that's of great concern. I think in these circumstances where you have this situation in Aleppo, I would hope that there might be some possibility of mediation by external bodies.”

 

‘THE EU’S POSITION SHOULD BE MUCH STRONGER’

 

Lemkow added: “What has happened is again the bombing of civil, civilian targets and that always has to be condemned, this is totally unacceptable. I think European position, the EU concretely, has been very weak and it should be much stronger. Because the situation in Aleppo has to be stopped and the EU could play a vital role, which it isn't doing.”

 

 

‘THE PEACE PROCESS WOULD HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON THE REGION’

 

Emphasising that any kind of peace process in the Middle East is important, Lemkow concluded: “Very often there's a kind of notion of ‘structural pessimism’ that nothing can be done, it's impossible. This is not true, and we've seen it in various parts of the World. And of course even better if we have a conflict-ridden region, that if the peace process advances between Turkey and the Kurds, this would be a great input and would have a major impact on the region.”