In The Middle East — Peace At Last?

26 September 2016

By Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi

Certified terrorists in Yemen, Syria and Iraq are losing ground. Daesh (the so-called IS), Houthis and company are under intense pressure. Regional and international forces are pushing them back, clearing them from towns and cities they occupied for years. Other Iran-sponsored militias, together with the Revolutionary Guards, are bleeding. In Syria and Iraq, these sectarian forces are losing both commanders and foot soldiers in increasing numbers.

Mostly, the bad guys are losing to local forces fighting for their lives and country with the support of regional powers. They have called for direct support for ages. Now, it seems, their prayers are answered.

On the Syrian front, Turkish forces decided, after years of hesitation, to enter the north of its Arab neighbor. After clearing a major town from Daesh and its Kurd enemies, they went on to declare the area a save heaven for refugees — a whole strip of 110 by 65 kilometers. Turks were calling for this haven to be created since the start of the war. They host millions of Syrians escaping their government's killing machine. More are coming everyday. Resettling them in their own country, after providing enough safeguards makes sense.

Other reasons include defending Turkish borders from terrorists and Syrian regime attacks; controlling illegal arms, goods and human trafficking; and preventing the creation of a Kurd nation run by their staunchest enemies, Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

At the same time, UN-sponsored peace talks are back on track. Russian and American foreign ministers are meeting and talking like never before. It's like Secretary of States, John Kerry, is living and working in his jet, crossing the world from Washington to Moscow, through Europe and the Middle East. His Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, is doing his rounds, too. The Russian diplomacy is making good friends out of recent foes. The new alliance with Turkey is changing the atmosphere, if not the politics, beyond recognition.

Only few weeks ago, the neighboring giants were making wars on each other's friends. After the downing of the Russian Sukhoi Su 24 jet, President Valdimir Putin was on a raging fury, missing no opportunity to hurt Turkish interests and pride. He cut most economic ties with Turkey and increased his support of its enemies.

On the other hand, Israel, Egypt, Iran and Greece were the targets of Turkish President Recep Tayeb Erdogan constant criticism and diplomatic pressure. Within days after the failed Turkish military coup, all that became mere history lessons. Quick and sturdy moves to clear out all obstacles to newfound friendship and cooperation turned the table. All, now, are declaring unity against terrorism and finding ways to resolve unresolved issues. Syria could benefit from this change of mode, and Daesh would definitely lose.

In Yemen, Houthis and forces loyal to ex-president were making political gains. They became more emboldened with each failed peace negotiations, as the world has been giving them equal footing with the legitimate government. In the last few weeks, the tide turned against them and their allies, Al-Qaeda and Daesh. Militarily, they lost grounds more than they ever had. In Sanaa and Ta'aez, in Hajja and Houdaida, as well as other northern and eastern fronts, Government forces were making gains, by the day.

The world seemed to have enough of the rebels' intransigence. Their unilateral unconstitutional moves and refusal to accept UN peace proposals expose them as the one and only obstacle to end the bloody, destructive war. Iran support was exposed, too. Ships full of new arms shipments were confiscated. After years of denial, Iran went on the record admitting to have provided the rebels the locally developed ballistic missiles, ''Zilzal.'' Such developments put both rebels and sponsors in face-off position with the United Nation and Security Council.

Now, the superpowers club appeared to be sick and tired of our wars. Yes, they benefited from each one — arms trade has never been better. Middle Eastern countries have been on the top list of the biggest spenders on war gear.
However, with UN and human rights organizations jumping all over the Western powers for the killings and destruction their arms are causing, they are now looking for ways to peace with benefit. There are more dollars to be made out of the rebuilding business.

Like in Iraq after the US invasion, hundreds of billions of dollars were spent on reconstruction. Most work went to US and allied companies. In Syria and Yemen the same opportunities can be realized.

No matter what the motives were, the chances are higher now for peace. All left for the concerned superpowers is to apply pressure on war makers and sponsors. Once the bad guys faced world's unity and resolve, they would accept peace terms … or be defeated.

Lets's hope and pray for peace at last. We deserve a break!

— Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah. He can be reached at kbatarfi@gmail.com. Follow him at Twitter:@kbatarfi 

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