Turkey Will Resort to 'Provocations Until Ceasefire Collapses'

The Turkish government and the militants, according to the media outlet, "view themselves as victims of and losing parties in the Syrian war. For this reason they will resort to provocations until the ceasefire is shattered."

Indeed, Erdogan and those groups that have received money, weapons and supplies from Turkey have largely been unable to play a leading role in Syria's policies since Russia launched its efficient counterterrorism operation in the Arab country. This has been particularly evident in the last several weeks as Damascus-led forces pushed terrorists out of numerous towns and cities in key provinces. 

Nevertheless, radical groups, according to Telepolis, will likely ignore this trend and continue fighting because they still believe that they could score "an overwhelming victory" and expel those, whom they consider "infidels," from the country "with the help of President Erdogan and Kind Salman."

"The Turkish president has apparently failed to understand that peace in Syria is in the interest of the Turkish people," the media outlet lamented.

Instead, Erdogan, according to al-Monitor, sees Turkey's direct or indirect involvement in the Syrian war as the only way to play a role in determining the country's post conflict future. This rationale prompted the Turkish leadership to consider a ground operation, but this initiative was dropped due to the lack of Washington's support.

It follows then that Ankara will likely continue to sponsor rebel groups in Syria. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu appeared to have said as much in his recent interview with Al Jazeera.

"Davutoglu's remarks constitute also an implicit acknowledgement of arms supplies to the rebels. And his pledge of continued support echoes like the continuation of arms supplies as well," al-Monitor observed.