Syrian Refugees, Khaled Khoja- AFP

Beirut- With the Russian-backed Syrian regime gaining foothold, the question on whether the Turkish government will intervene in Syria or not has altered as to when will Turkey get involved.

Whoever is keeping record of the developments on the Syrian case, knows that a Turkish intervention is necessary for the support of their Syrian Opposition allies, who are being subjected to an unprecedented military campaign. And even if the Russian presence might add a notch to the complications of a Turkish involvement, it still does not prohibit it.

A Syrian Opposition member, located in Istanbul, mentioned that the players controlling Syrian fate are no longer exclusive to members of the Syrian regime and Opposition, which translates into the validity of Turkish support whether directly or indirectly.

Jusoor (Syrians Forward Together) center’s board executive and Syrian expert, Mr. Mohamad Sarmini, considers that a pro-regime forces’ attempt on closing in on the Turkish borders is being perpetrated to seclude cities from each other, and gradually take them down. Aleppo to begin with, then Idlib, then Hama, and whatever is left of Lattakia.

Mr. Sarmini told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Russian plan is clearing up after its take on obstructing supplies from reaching Aleppo, and then plotting on taking over Afrin (town in northern Syria) and barricading it with the help of the Kurdish PYD factions.

Russian intentions appear to aim towards seizing Syria as a whole, with no compensations made, starting with the Syrian moderate Opposition zones.

Sarmini asserted that the effort on blocking southern supply routes is continuous, throughout Daraa and Athman. With this plan, Russia will separate freed regions from each other and will tackle them separately.

Although the Turks have said so little on the Russian declarations, observers still point out the inevitability of a Turkish response even if it isn’t defined yet. Especially that the U.S. current stance does not seem optimistic according to a source that participated at the ministerial meeting with U.S. Secretary John Kerry, held for the friend-countries to Syrian people.

The source also added that Kerry did not wish for a ground troop intervention in Syria, and that the ministers in the meeting had heard from Kerry that he reached an understanding with his Russian peer Sergey Lavrov on ceasefire in Syria. Also, Kerry held the Syrian Opposition responsible for the failure of that agreement.

According to sources, Kerry also mentioned cooperation with Russia on airdrop of humanitarian relief in Syria.

Ahmet Davutoğlu, Turkish Prime Minister, refrained from directly commenting on the possibility of a Saudi-Turkish ground force move towards Syria through Turkish borders. However, he pointed out to Asharq Al-Awsat the tight relationship between both Saudi Arabia and Turkey for the better of Syrian people, in an agreement not to abandon them to fight alone in face of the death machine.

A Turkish official, who requested anonymity, revealed that the head of Turkish Armed Forces (T.A.F.) was a part of the Turkish delegation which recently visited Saudi Arabia. A proclamation indicating that a great understanding was made on all stages.

The official also said that the crowds the Russians are talking about near the Syrian borders are defense crowds and have been there for a very long time now. They had localized near the borders after confrontations with ISIS, the battles being driven close to the borders, and the refugee influx.

Turkey has the right to preserve its national security, and it currently has dispatched its forces across its grounds, and has yet not opted to cross thousands of miles to support a dictator against his people, the official said in a clear indication to Russia.

Khaled Khoja, current President of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, perceives that an intervention from fellow countries, especially Arabian countries, to support the Syrian Opposition and the Free Syrian Army against Shi’ite militia and ISIS is necessary. With the Russian interference now, it is a question of fate.