Where Turkey stands as Syrian government falls to opposition insurgents

Associated Press

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Syrian refugees across Turkey have jubilantly welcomed the downfall of Bashar Assad’s government with many embracing the chance to return to their homeland. Many say it’s time to go home after years of living in Turkey, which hosts some 3 million Syrians. Turkey, which shares a 566-mile-long frontier with Syria, has been a main backer of opposition groups aiming to topple Assad since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011. While Turkish officials have strongly rejected claims of any involvement, observers believe that the rebel offensive is aligned with Turkey’s long-time goals and could not have gone ahead without Ankara’s consent.