Tensions between the local population and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are growing. Protests against the SDF have recently erupted in the cities of Manbij, Hasakah and Raqqah.
The predominantly Arab local population protested against behavior and policies, including forced conscription, implemented by the SDF. Forces of the US-led coalition were even forced to intervene into the situation in Raqqa in order to stop infighting between the Kurdish YPG and local Arab units.
The SDF and the SDF-held area is de-facto dominated by Kurdish YPG/YPJ militias and their political wing PYD. This is also one of the factors triggering tensions with the local population.
11 militant groups, including Faylaq al-Sham and the Free Idlib Army, have merged in the Syrian province of Idlib forming a new Turkish backed force entitled Jabhat al-Wataniya lil-Tahrir (the National Front for Liberation). According to local observers, the formation of this military group is a part of the Turkish plan to increase its influence in the militant-held parts of the provinces of Idlib, Latakia and Aleppo.
From May 29 to May 30, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) struck at least 65 targets in the Gaza Strip. The targets were allegedly belonging to Hamas and the Islamic Jihad Movement and included facilities allegedly manufacturing rocket launchers and rocket engines. The IDF also claimed that its forces are operating in Gaza.
This round of escalation started with mortar shelling from Gaza early on May 29. Throughout the day, Palestinian forces launched at least 70 mortar shells and rockets at Israeli targets. The situation is developing.
Hello Saker community. Here’s a gem for you all.
Christian Singer Honors Hezbollah in Stunning 2013 Concert Performance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdZgkGI5h0A
Russia Moving Backstage in the Syrian Conflict. By Canthama.
“There is a very intense backstage movement by Russia to halt the war in Syria, it has many facets and sometimes it takes unpredictable turns, but the direction seems clear. What we know so far:
1) The SAA High command has taken a decision to return full control of the southern part of the country, all the border with Jordan and the occupied Golan. The amount of soldiers that have arrived is very large, as well as equipments, most if not all elite troops were moved to the south, some still traveling.
2) Jordan has failed to convince the terrorists to reconcile, Jordan is desperate to have the Nassib border crossing open again so trade flows to Syria and Lebanon, while with Turkey the trade route has been doubled thru Iraq post ISIS. Jordan is engaged to really get this resolved, finally, and of course, since the coalition of idiots did not manage to defeat Syria.
3) There are intense talks and many countries are involved putting their needs up front, impossible to get all aligned but a compromise may be reached, even if that happens, it is no guarantee the terrorists will simply walk away.
4) More than 100 villages in the south have signal that they are fine with reconciliation, since late 2016. Many continue to indicate that they are very open to reconciliation, at this stage in time, they know their war is over and they are all trying to preserve their villages and business the best they can.
5) It seems should a deal is broken in the south, and should the terrorists, at least most of them, are ok with that (Idlib or reconciliation), then this format may be used to get NE-North-East of Syria back together, it is a long shot, but this is still on Russia’s original intention and current backstage diplomacy. Worth noting that recent talks with France in St Petersburg related to Syria was focused on its unity and peaceful settlement. It seems Macaroni is not playing the peace maker (took unearned credit for Lebanon-Hariri, now it is taking on Libya and maybe he will try to take if from Syria as well, who knows?).
6) Iran has formally convey its position to Jordan, a key play in the south and a Israeli/US slave State. Iran and Hizballah have indeed moved all their forced form the south since last week, this is confirmed fact.
7) Speculation is on possible US move out of al Tanf, Russia is pressuring very strongly at the moment, lots of press coverage on many Lavrov’s statements in the past few days around the world, and it is well known that even Jordan is pressuring the US to leave al Tanf area.
7) The timeline is clear though, after Ramadan this has to be resolved, if not politically, it will be by force, so roughly 2 weeks time.”
Secret Russian-Israeli Negotiations Pave Way for SAA to Retake All of South Syria. By Eliajah Maginer
https://ejmagnier.com/2018/05/31/south-syria-to-return-within-the-control-of-damascus-with-or-without-a-russian-israeli-deal/
“This round of escalation started with mortar shelling from Gaza early on May 29”
Really?? Perhaps one might see this “round” beginning with the deliberate shooting of hundreds of unarmed protesters (all of whom were clearly inside Gaza at the time they were shot) by IDF? The pro-Jewish bias in the media is so strong, so institutionalized that even authors at SouthFront can’t seem to shake it off.
I do not understand Hamas, I just don’t get it.
Why do they continue with these stupid attacks on Israel that only brings death down upon the heads of the common people of Gaza? For more than 70 years they shoot off rockets or mortars that result in little damage to the Zionists yet gives the Hebrew thugs justification to “mow the grass” and kill with impunity. Hamas needs to take a different approach because what they have been doing is not working.
How about raising an army and train thousands of Palestinian men and women to learn to fight using guerilla tactics? Organize teams of snipers to kill IDF soldiers guarding checkpoints, protecting the 200 mile apartheid wall and decoy them when they come out with their gunboats to harass Gaza fishermen.
This Israeli military occupation is a passive war against the State of Palestine, the citizenry must learn to see it that way. Otherwise their “resistance” is meaningless and a mockery of those people in the Middle East who are fully engaged in repulsing an invader like the Houtha of Yemen.