Putin, al-Assad, and Erdoğan are cynical politicians: only their power interests matter- the interest of the Syrian people to enjoy peace does not.
Since years Erdoğan supports the FSA militia to curtail YPG and to establish a zone separating western from eastern YPG controlled territories. Now he attacks the western territory around Efrîn (Afrin) itself.
Since Russia controls the airspace of Syria Erdoğan could not have started his invasion without the admittance of Russia.
If anti-Assad militias are fighting against each other (instigated by Erdoğan FSA against SDF and YPG) this will strengthen Assad.
My caricature tells the viewer why Russia (as Assad’s ally) conceded this admittance – probably Putin and Assad perceive Erdoğan – in the above outlined connection – only as the ‘useful idiot’!

Politics »  International  Military & Security  Terrorism  Confederations  Conflicts & War  Politicians

bascharhafizalassadwladimirputinreceptayiperdoganturkeysyriarussiaypgkurdishmilitiasdfsyriandemocraticforcesfsafreearmyafrininvasioncivilvictimsrefugeescynismpowerbrokerdryflowers