Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies: 'ISIL a direct threat to Turkey'

According to the report, ISIL has been a direct threat to Turkey's Syrian border ever since the organization seized control of many of the crossings in Syrian territory. "Therefore Turkey, unlike other actors, is living with the reality of ISIL," the report said. The fight between Turkey-supported Syrian opposition groups and ISIL is also presented as another threat to Turkey and its foreign policy towards Syria. "ISIL benefits the Syrian regime by fighting the moderate opposition forces, strengthening popular support for Assad." 

ISIL's huge potential menace is underscored in the study, while also explaining that Turkey is also hindered by the fact that Iraq is Turkey's second biggest trade partner. "Turkish companies undertook construction projects in almost the whole of Irbil, which has recently come under threat from ISIL." 

In the report it is mentioned that the lack of action from Western countries toward moderate groups in the region may paradoxically trigger radical groups and terrorist organizations similar to ISIL.

Source: Daily Sabah