A large convoy of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) and the Sinjar Resistance Units (YBS) was filmed in the city Afrin overnight on February 6. The convoy reportedly consisted of over 100 vehicles, including buses. According to various sources, the total number of YPG/YBS fighters in the convoy was between 1,500 and 5,000, most likely the real number is about 2,000. This force will definitely participate in the ongoing clashes between the YPG and the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF).
Reports say that the convoy had reached Afrin from the Kurdish-held area in northeastern Syria and northwestern Iraq through the government-held area east of Aleppo and link this development with the Russian Su-25 shootdown, which took place in the province of Idlib on February 3. According to this version, the YPG, the YBS and other Kurdish-dominated militias prepared these reinforcements some time ago, but were able to reach an agreement with the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) to reach Afrin only recently. The appearance and the usage of man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADs) by the so-called moderate opposition promoted and backed by the Turkish leadership became a trigger of the decision to allow the Kurdish reinforcements to Afrin.
While Turkish media and officials continue to blame the Syrian-Iranian-Russian alliance for the ongoing operation against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda), the TAF had done almost nothing to combat the terrorist group despite the deployment of its forces near the areas held by it.
On the other hand, the Assad government is also interested in the weakening of the Turkish influence in northern Syria. So, there is a chance this decision was the initiative of Damascus.
The Syrian military officially announced on February 5 that it had deployed new air defences and anti-aircraft missiles to frontlines in the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib. On the same time, reports appeared that the Turkish Air Force was forced to limit its air campaign against the YPG in Afrin under the Russian pressure. The fact is that the number of Turkish airstrikes had been close to zero over the past few days.
In any case, Ankara faced the consequences of its double-faced policy towards Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
In the Afrin area, the TAF and the Free Syrian Army continued their operation against the YPG and captured the villages of Sourkeh, Al-Amod and Dekmet Tash as well as Sarghaya Hill, according to pro-Turkish sources.
According to the Turkish General Staff, about 1,000 so-called “terrorists” have been “neutralized” since the start of Operation Olive Branch.
However, this number is likely far from the reality considering the lack of any major TAF progress on the ground.
In turn, Kurdish militias have used at least 12 anti-tank guided missiles against the TAF and the FSA. According to existing reports and videos, the YPG targeted three Leopard 2A4 battle tanks, two M-60 Sabra battle tanks, three bulldozers and four stationary targets.
On February 5, the TAF launched another attempt to establish an observation post in the militant-held town of Al-Eis and even launched construction works there. The country’s general staff even said that its forces had started reconnaissance for two additional observation points.
Later on the same day, reports appeared the TAF and pro-government forces engaged each other in an artillery duel there. A Turkish service member was reportedly killed. The situation over this issue remains unclear.
Some Syrian sources describe the Al-Eis observation point as an attempt to limit the SAA anti-terrorist operation in the area.
Meanwhile, HTS continued its attempts to develop momentum against the SAA in the Tell Sultan area in eastern idlib. Fierce clashes are ongoing there.
The SAA, the Tiger Forces and the National Defense Forces (NDF) further advanced on ISIS in the northeastern Hama pocket and liberated the villages of Rasm Kibar, Sawwanat Hamrah, Uwayjat Qana, Tal Shur, Malihah Kabirah, Malihah Saghirah, Rasm al-Mafkar, Abu Khanadiq, Maasaran and Buyad as-Saffaf. The advance is ongoing.
In eastern Damascus, the SAA and the Republican Guard advanced on positions of HTS in the Ghubair area and captured some factory buildings there. If government forces are able to secure the southern flank of the Armoured Vehicles Base, they will stabilize the situation in Eastern Ghouta. Meanwhile, Ahrar al-Sham, HTS and other militant groups use the besieged base to pressure government forces there.
YPG spokesperson confirms reinforcements traveled through government lines to Afrin
https://mobile.almasdarnews.com/article/ypg-spokesperson-confirms-reinforcements-traveled-government-lines-afrin/
“BEIRUT, LEBANON (4:05 P.M.) – The Spokesperson for the People’s Protection Units (YPG), Sipan Hamo, stated on Tuesday that the Syrian government has allowed the Kurdish-led reinforcements through their lines recently.
Hamo continued that the Syrian government is providing both food and medical supplies to the Afrin region of Aleppo, adding that he hopes the latter will join the battle militarily.
The Syrian government recently allowed a large convoy of YPG reinforcements from the town of Manbij to the Afrin region, which requires access from the roads controlled by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA).
Damascus has repeatedly called on the Turkish regime to immediately remove their forces from Syria and respect the country’s sovereignty.”
There doesn’t seem to be anything near a major battle going on – just a few Turks killed in a couple incidents. Why isn’t there any real fighting if they are such big enemies?
Another zionazi attack.
Syrian Air Defenses Respond to Israeli ‘Aggression’ Near Damascus – State Media
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802071061422991-syria-air-defense-israel-damascus-attack/
“According to Syrian SANA state-run agency, the country’s air defenses have responded to an Israeli attack near Damascus, a move described as “aggression” by the Arab Republic’s government.
The IDF have yet to comment on the announcement, however, Haaretz reported, citing sources, that Israeli missiles had targeted a “research center” in the town of Jamraya, located north of Damascus.
There have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage as a result of the incident.
The media outlet cited social media reports suggesting that three blasts had been heard near Damascus on Wednesday morning.
The latest incident takes place less than a day after Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a rare visit to Golan Heights, a disputed area that had been by Tel Aviv during the Six-Day War in 1967 prompting harsh UN condemnation, inspecting the nearby border into Syria. During the visit, he issued a warning, saying, “We seek peace but are prepared for any scenario and I wouldn’t suggest to anyone that they test us.”
I was wondering if that (Removed for language,MOD) Golan trip would initiate more israeli war crimes against Syria and or Lebanon.
Syria says it repelled Israeli warplanes’ attack on military site near Damascus
https://www.rt.com/news/418077-syria-respond-israeli-attack/
“Israeli warplanes attacked military targets near Damascus from Lebanese airspace, according to Syrian state media. The Syrian Army claims it destroyed most of the Israeli rockets.
Syria’s official news agency SANA said the military responded to “a new Israeli aggression” near the capital.
The Syrian military did not disclose any information about casualties or damage resulting from the Israeli strike.
Syria accused Israel of a similar attack on January 9, in which missiles targeted military outposts in the area of Qutayfeh, in the Damascus countryside.
Damascus says that Israel’s strikes violate Syrian sovereignty and have undermined efforts to push Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) and other extremist groups out of the country.”
The use of SAA controlled area by a convoy of the YPG seems to indicate that there at lest is some common understanding between the some Kurds and the Syrian government.
Could it be that the Kurds forego independence but accepts some sort of autonomy, but not with the SAA in Kurdish areas ? If this indeed is the case, then it all but dooms the US and Turkish presence, now then the question would be how large a faction of Kurds are in support of autonomy and how large apart rejects autonomy in favor of farfetched independence?
SAA & allies have temporarily halted the advance on Saraqib in the Idlib cauldron in order to focus on erasing the last, lost ISIS fighters in the Hama pocket.
Over the last 48 hours, SAA & allies, led by the Tiger Forces, have liberated dozens of villages and shrunk the pocket to one third of its size.
“ ISIS can’t escape the pocket this time, it is tightly sealed. There are ISIS families there as well.
The important aspect is that most of these ISIS terrorists inside the pocket are Syrians, not foreigners, we never know whether they will try to strike a deal, but taking in consideration that those are the same that fled the eastern Hama pocket because they did not want to surrender nor reconcile at that time, it is hard to believe they will do it this time, they are die hard terrorists, and there is too much bad blood between them and any Syrian from the Salamiyah area due to 3 years of shelling and killing around this large city.
The pocket was large, but it is 2/3rd smaller now and going down fast, as soon as just a dozen villages are left in their last bastion is that we will see a do or die situation, by now they are fleeing faster than the SAA can advance, in 2 days max we will know for sure their end game, they deserve no pity, either life sentence in jail/hard labor work or fertilizer.” (Canthama)
Meanwhile, the Russian Navy has fired several missiles on targets between Abu Dhuhur und Saraqib, the area where RuAF SU-25 was shot down recently.
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-russian-navy-fires-several-cruise-missiles-idlib-province/
Just a Map Note:
If the YPG wishes to help their brethren in Afrin, why must they be transferred a hundred miles to the East?
All the largest portion of the YPG (located in Northwestern Syria), needs to do to help their brethren in Afrin, is to —-
Attack! Directly North! And liberate their brethren in the Southeast of Turkey (which is supposed to be the heartland of Kurdistan.
Why waste time & energy being transported to the West, when you can go Directly North!????? And Flank the Turkish Armed Forces, who are temporarily concentrated in Afrin, (Northwest Syria)!!!
Map Reading 101:
If I am in error, (and it would be the first time), kindly explain this “convoy” business.
Unify all Russia – from the Baltic Principalities, to the Ukraine, to Kazakhstan, etc..
Jews – return to Europe, Kings Highway, and Hollywood, & leave the Palestinians their Country.
Restore the American Republic!
God Bless!
Durruti
Excuse:
“If the YPG wishes to help their brethren in Afrin, why must they be transferred a hundred miles to the East?”
I meant to write “a hundred miles to the West” The West… The West.