On January 18, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Iranian-backed militias liberated the village of Qaytal fom Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) in southern Aleppo and almost closed the eastern Idlib pocket.
Late on the same day, ISIS reportedly captured thirty villages, including Rasm al-Dhaba, al-Muwaylah, abu Ajwa, Muakar Shamali, Huma, Najm Al-Zuhur, Umm Qurun and Rasm Arira, in northeastern Hama and southwestern Aleppo from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
According to reports, a part of HTS members withdrew from the area to avoid being encircled by the SAA while the rest of them just joined ISIS.
The pro-opposition news outlet Enab Baladi also reported that ISIS fighters started an advance to reach the SAA-held village TellDaman in order to open a route towards Idlib province.
The ISIS Hunters of the SAA’s 5th Assault Corps have repelled a suicide vehicle borne improvised explosive device attack by ISIS in the Euphrates Valley. According to the unit’s media wing, the attack was an attempt to break the blockade imposed by government forces on ISIS units in the Homs desert.
On January 18, two ISIS VBIEDs attacked the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Gharanij in southeastern Deir Ezzor, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). The ISIS-linked news agency Amaq added that ISIS fighters targeted a gathering of SDF fighters and destroyed a Humvee with an ATGM.
According to SOHR, ISIS still controls the villages of Abu Hassan, al-Bubadran, al-Baghuz, al-Susah and al-Shaafah as well as large parts of Hajin, Gharanij and al-Bahra on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson decided to say that Washington has no plans to create a 30,000-strong border force in northern Syria and claimed that the issue has been “misportrayed”. “We are not creating a border security force at all,” he said.
However, just few days ago, the Pentagon officially announced the creation of this border force.
“The Coalition is working jointly with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to establish and train the new Syrian Border Security Force (BSF). Currently, there are approximately 230 individuals training in the BSF’s inaugural class, with the goal of a final force size of approximately 30,000,” spokesman for the US-led coalition Colonel Thomas F. Veale said. “The base of the new force is essentially a realignment of approximately 15,000 members of the Syrian Democratic Forces to a new mission in the Border Security Force as their actions against ISIS draw to a close.”
Meanwhile, Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar and National Intelligence Organization (MİT) Undersecretary Hakan Fidan met in Moscow with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and other officials for talks on Syria.
It does not look like Ankara is ready to see the US as with a reliable partner over the conflict.
“Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).”
They should dispense with the Hay’at Tahrir al- bit and just stick with sham, which everyone knows is what they are.
“The pro-opposition news outlet Enab Baladi” & “according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR)”
Neither are even remotely credible sources.
“US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson decided to say that Washington has no plans to create a 30,000-strong border force in northern Syria and claimed that the issue has been “misportrayed”. “We are not creating a border security force at all,” he said.”
Which is zionazi bum plug speak for: our terrorist mercs are intended to continue the zionazi terror war against Syria, not turkey (not yet against turkey).
“The Coalition is working jointly with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to establish and train the new Syrian Border Security Force (BSF).”
BSF=Border security force? Come on, this is an israeloamerican invention, and everyone knows their preferences. More like Bulls**t Force or Bum Sexer Force.
I am more interested in why Turkey continues its course towards Afrin, to me it does not make much sense at all.
I think I might have had a bright moment: Could it be that Erdogan thinks he could be next in line for a dose of color revolution, and according hedges his bets and has made some dealings with Russia and Syria (All bla-bla disregarded) ?. Else wise it, to me , does not make sense. The same goes for the Kurd’s love of the US, if they cant see they will be dumped when opportune, I some projects I would like them to finance, bringing prosperity and wealth to all Kurdistan. Hopefully the Russians might be able to sort this mess out, I don’t think anybody else can.
some common sense on the confusing situation in Afrin. Quote:
“Too many conflicting news related to Afrin. By now it is clear that:
1) Turkey is using cannon fodders to do its dirty work, and so far it seems skirmishes more than anything.
2) No turkish regime CAS means limited incursion by turkish regime army in Afrin. Very few drone attack from a distant and form inside turkish territory so far.Most likely Turkey won’t send jets or helis to CAS inside Afrin.
3) Turkey is using artillery to bomb positions in the border area but can not hit far inside Afrin.
4) Turkish regime media continues to widely spread victories and that tomorrow the army will invade it all.
5) Lots of conflicting information about whether 250 Russian police left or not Afrin, the best info so far is that they did indeed leave Afrin to a nearby area still inside Afrin’s area of influence.
6) There is a great deal of backstage talk right now. Afrin council decided to offer the Syrian Government to place Syrian flags all over Afrin but would not allow the SAA to enter the canton, this proposal was rejected by the Syrian Government.
7) Clearly Afrin is a national security issue for Turkey and Syria, both countries can not and will not allow the US backed separatists to have a land continuity in northern Syria and with possibility to reach the sea in occupied Antakya Province. Too many variables up in the air at the moment.
8) The fact Afrin’s leaders are not bending to the reality that their future is better under the Syrian Government than in constant threat by Turkey, is mind boggling, but this weekend they may have to make this call.
9) There is a great deal of diversion on going, the Afrin imbroglio and the super bad weather (sand storms in most Syria and Iraq), but most of the crazy stuff may get cleared during the weekend.
10) There is a 50/50 chance this is all a coordinated show for Afrin to bend to Syria’s central Government and/or turkish regime land grabbing strategy (Ottoman 2.0 dream). Long weekend on this very subject.”
Border Force May Replace Daesh as Spearhead for US Push Into Mid East – Analyst
https://sputniknews.com/analysis/201801201060910347-us-border-force-kurds-daesh/
“Israeli Agenda is the Focus of US’ Mid East Policy
The scholar pointed out that there is another objective which is rarely mentioned — “advancing the Israeli agenda.”
“Israel has been successful in keeping the surrounding countries in a state of perpetual war, while devouring what is left of historical Palestine and thriving as an island of tranquility and business innovation.”
Afrin knot: How the battle for a small Kurdish enclave could be the death knell for US-Turkey ties
https://www.rt.com/news/416316-afrin-turkey-offensive-kurds/
“Indeed, it is chaotic, ambiguous and inarticulate US policy which is causing America to lose on every front in the region. A NATO partner engaging in an all-out war on your regional ally is a clear sign that something has failed in your foreign policy.
Why else would your friends become enemies?”
US trying to create alternative govt on Syrian land – Lavrov on Afrin crisis
https://www.rt.com/news/416442-us-alternative-syria-lavrov/
“It’s a fact that US forces are seriously involved in creating alternative government bodies on vast part of the Syrian territory. And this, of course, absolutely contradicts their own obligations, which they committed to on numerous occasions, including at the UN Security Council, on maintaining the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Syria,” Lavrov said.
Washington’s inconsistency on Syria is also “quite characteristic of modern US diplomacy, including the reasons for the American presence there, and the reasons for the actions of the coalition, which they command,” Lavrov added. Russia is “concerned” by the US’ actions in the country, he said, adding, that he had discussed the situation with the US Secretary of State on numerous occasions.
“Rex Tillerson told me many times that the only reason for their presence there [in Syria] is defeating Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISL). Now they have some much more long-standing plans,” Lavrov said. “We will have to take this into account and look for solutions that won’t allow the destruction of Syrian sovereignty.”
Like with trump speaking on the campaign trail, honing his words to what his handlers thought each different audience would want to hear, american “diplomacy” is following the same duplicious strategy. The words are essentially meaningless bs, designed to both hide the aggressions and delay opponent reaction.
This is the israeli method. The confusing and seemingly disorganized chaos of the trump regime is simply a strategem to disguise a very concerted and organized israeli method of policy application. The trump regime is not just 100% neocon, they are fully israeli in every aspect.
Canthama reported 20 minutes ago on SyrPer:
“Complete and utter collapse of al Qaeda and all wahhabeast in and aorund Abu Duhur airbase, major terrorists’ retreat right now as a very effectively coordinated effort by the Tiger Forces, SAA, NDF, Hizballah, IRGC and Fatemiyoun & Iraqi militias have squeezed the terrorists and flank them from south, west and east. ….. Huge advance and it is happening quite fast, soon the map makers will be showing it.”
I think BashAr Al-assad has been quite successful in getting his enemies to fight each other; so far it’s been ISIS remnants fighting al-Qaeda, and Turkey fighting the USA-backed Kurdish militias. Syria lacks manpower, which can be compensated in part by modern equipment from Russia. The infighting amongst Syria’s enemies buys this precious time.
Best case scenario: Syria successfully assimilates S400s, Su-35s, Ka-52s, T-14s, etc, Syria’s enemies exhaust themselves infighting, then Syria easily mops up the terror groups, and Turkey is encouraged to withdraw. Once reunited, Syria can push for reparations from Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, etc.
@Dick Lenning. … etc includes reparations from the EUSA if they want to go to market in the new ME? Like post-War Germany had to pay reparations to Israel if it wanted to enter the US market. See Pepe’s article: EUSA is no longer the biggest trading partner with the MENA.
from Jean 2hr ago in SyrPer:
“Russia withdrawal from Afrin AND giving Turkey green light to use Syrian airspace is the proof that the Bear is fed up with the US shenanigans.”
to which Bundy adds:
“Erdo seems serious, 50 air strikes in Afrin. Seems he called the US bluff. Kurds are just pawns here with no say in anything. 12 Turkish airstrikes hit YPG positions in Afrin”
Latest summary here
https://sputniknews.com/military/201801211060927116-turkey-syria-military-operation-wrapup/
Olive Branch: Turkey Launches Ground Offensive Against YPG in Syria – Reports
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201801211060930049-turkey-kurds-ypg-groundoperation/
“However, Turkish troops will leave the northern Syrian district of Afrin as soon as the armed forces achieve the goals of the recently launched military operation Olive Branch, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said Saturday.
“The operation is not against our Turkmen, Kurdish or Arab brothers living there [in Afrin], but against the terrorist groups. It has been launched with a respect for Syria’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and political unity, and will be carried out taking these principles into account. After the operation reaches the assigned tasks, Turkey will leave Afrin,” Bozdag said, as quoted by Ihlas News Agency.”
Doesn’t sound like the Turks themselves are planning staying long.
News this morning…Turkey creating 30 km buffer zone…..maybe they will join up territory from Afrin to Manbij ..to create pincer to encompass rebel held territory in between…in effect extending in a straightline from west to east to abutt SAA held territory.
Is this an Israeli type action like Golan heights situation…can Syria do more than object by posture because Turkey is 1 of 3 “guarantors” ….when would Iran and Russia feel they have had enough to either threaten Turkey to chuck them out of this triumvirate or even just issue warnings….when could SAA say they have had enough of Turkey and can they remove them(Turkish army just been hanging back and got a huge army wanting some of the action?)….if Turkey is then isolated despite of good intentions for itself it proclaims…..are they then vulnerable to backlash from probably SAA, maybe Iran…but certainly not Russia?
Very messy now.
US troops cannot stay in Syria without permission of Damascus – Moscow
https://www.rt.com/newsline/416502-us-troops-damascus-permission/
“Without the approval of the Syrian government the US military cannot stay in the country, Russia’s Special Presidential Envoy to Syria Aleksandr Lavrentiev said on Saturday. “Our position is absolutely clear – American troops should not stay in the territory of a sovereign state without the permission of its government,” he stated. The US military presence can harm the peace efforts in the country, namely the upcoming Syrian National Dialogue Congress which will be held in Sochi on January 29-30, Lavrentiev said. Moscow, however, wishes to see the US act as an observer during the meeting. The Congress is expected to provide a dialogue platform for the Syrian government and opposition well as to launch the process of creating a new constitution.”
Phoenix Rising: the new ME. From SyrPer 6hr ago:
Canthama reports: “Three armies meeting. Once the frontline is lined up from al Hader to Abu Duhur and to Northern Hama, it will be facing the M5 raw and exposed. Nothing less than 3 armies are meeting at that 30 kms from al Hader to Abu Duhur:
1) Tiger Forces and auxiliares
2) Hizballah, IRGC, Iraq militias, Fatemiyoun militia, SAA, NDF from al Hass
3) Hizballah, IRGC, SAA, RGs, NDF, Liwa al Quds from al Hader
The concentration of the 3 forces is massive, the nbrs, the firepower and the air support will show a violent powerful punch not seen on these 7 years of war of aggression against the Syrians.
to which PacificNorthWest comments: “This highly effective large scale tactical coordination of multi-front and multi-forces, cutting the mercenary armies to pieces, must be giving their Israeli and ZioNATO backers epic heartburn. The Axis of Resistance is showing that it is militarily formidable and can execute very fast large scale complex multi-front operations.
from AMN: “Picture confirmation: Huge ISIS car bomb attack kills many tens of US-backed fighters in east Syria”.
So, not only is NATZO member Turkey fighting NATZO chief USA, but now we have NATZO proxy ISIS fighting NATZO proxy Eretz Kurdistan. Ever since their 911 atrocity against the people of the USA, the AZC Army has been driving at full speed with brakes and accelerator both on simultaneously — using terrorism while pretending to fight terrorism. Now something is beginning to burn, and smoke is pouring out of the vehicle.
I love the smell of “Make America Great Again” in the morning.
‘After Afrin, Americans feel threatened by Turkey’s vow to strike US-backed Kurds in Manbij’
https://www.rt.com/usa/416520-us-manbij-threatened-turkey-offensive/
“As Turkey began its military campaign in northern Syria, the lack of US action came as little surprise, said Waqqaf, the director of the British think-tank Gnosos. “Americans have never been associated with that enclave in Afrin,” Waqqaf said, adding, there’s been “no American presence, direct armament or funding.”
Yet, the US is now worried about the “announced objective of going to Manbij, which is directly affiliated with the Americans.”
If Waqqaf is correct about Afrin with regard to the lack of an american presence, then maybe turkey chose Afrin due to that absence of americans in order to avoid a turk-american/nato direct clash? This raises the possibility that the Turk attack is in concert with the israeloamericans, not antagonistic of them, and designed to impede recent Syrian advances against daesh in the Aleppo and Idlib regions. I’m not claiming this is what the Turks may be up to, just posing a question.
Hhhmmmmm…posturing to increase status or intention for the turkoman empire which is claimed to be in his thinking…..timing because SAA tied up in Idlib……Tillerson calling for Turkey to be “responsible” could back up this suggestion….dunno…dunno…previous post by me was expressing deep concern for this confusing mess.Is it all shadowplay?
The position of Kurds in Afrin took a Tragicomedy Form.
FEATURE: Why it is laughable the Kurds blame Russia for the predicament they find themselves in northern Syria
January 21, 2018 – Fort Russ News – Paul Antonopoulos via @EHSANI22
1-On #Afrin: Critical to recall that Turkish military officials flew to Moscow few days ago and met their Russian counterpart. When the plan to invade Afrin was presented, all the Russians had to do was inform Turks that The Kurds are now America’s & not Russia ‘s boys.
2-Lets be clear: Had the Syrian Kurds not jumped off the Russian ship, it would be hard to imagine today’s attack on Afrin taking place. The ball is now in Washington’s court. The US convinced the Kurds to become their partners. The test of this commitment started today =>
3-Judging by the start of the operation, it seems that The Turks mean business. More than 10 aircrafts conducted the first bombing campaign. It’s likely that Tanks will be deployed as well. Tillerson already called his Turkish counterpart ==>
4- Important to stress again that Turkish planes used Syrian airspace. Russia & it’s radars had to have been fully aware of the operation. The Kurds are now tne allies of @realDonaldTrump @brett_mcgurk and a member of NATO is bombing them. Welcome to the Middle East
5-Erdogan’s anger at American decision to arm & pick the Kurds as partners in the fight against ISIS had to come to a boiling point. During last speech by Tillerson, an attempt was made to appease Erdogan through offering complimentary lip service. Ankara bought none of it
6-Note that Erdogan had watched Kurdish developments closely in Iraq and saw how the Iraqi Army crushed that independence attempt with little if any reaction by the US. Erdogan has now dared Washington to do more than offer their Kurdish allies verbal support
and … more … and … more…
from Bundy on SyrPer 2 1/2hr ago: “One of the largest US-backed rebel groups announces defection to Turkey”
And from Ukraine – drone footage from last May & June, only released recently. It shows successful targeted attacks on the headquarters of the Right Sector & other neo-Nazi objects in Donbas filmed from drones.
Google Translated from Russian:
https://vk.com/video-70187376_456239845
Donetsk: artillery destroyed the headquarters of the punitive forces of the Supreme Armed Forces and the Right Sector
Artillery strikes against the headquarters of the fighters of the “Right Sector” and other objects of Ukrainian neo-Nazis in the Donbas were filmed.
The scale of the video is striking because it clearly shows the blazing buildings and armored vehicles of the invaders, huge clouds of smoke are rising in the air.
The frames also show broken positions of the APU and the “Right Sector” *.
The first part shows a blow to the headquarters of “right-wingers” in the village of Peski near Donetsk. The shells hit the headquarters buildings of the extremists, and several military vehicles were also destroyed.
Further, explosions of ammunition are shown at the positions of the field headquarters of the APU and the destruction of their armored vehicles. For example, the drones recorded the hits on the T-64 tank in the Avdeevka industrial zone and the support points of the mortar platoon. In addition, the artillerymen destroyed and damaged many Ukrainian BMPs with fragments.
Recall that it is from Sand and Avdeevka that Ukrainian aggressors regularly attack the vicinity of the capital of the People’s Republic…
It is known that part of the shootings of artillery shelling of the punishers from the video were conducted from the air in May and June 2017, but they were published only now.
As they say in diplomatic circles, Russia is playing chess while the USA plays checkers:
“Turkey’s Anti-Kurdish Campaign Has Checkmated the US In Syria
Unverified reports indicate that Syria and Turkey are discussing matters concerning Operation Olive Branch and while these reports may be untrue, Russia is certainly acting as a go-between for both Ankara and Damascus.
Out of this arrangement, it appears that Russia’s green-lighting of Operation Olive Branch has resulted in Turkey pulling its militants/mercenaries out of Idlib which has allowed for a rapid advance of the Syrian Arab Army in the most fortified Takfiri region of the country. Furthermore, by allowing Turkey to fight Kurdish insurgents on behalf of all the enemies of the pro-US Kurds, Turkey is doing Syria’s dirty work with Russia’s tacit diplomatic and military approval.”
http://eurasiafuture.com/2018/01/21/turkeys-anti-kurdish-campaign-checkmated-us-syria/
Turkish Army extends Syria operation to Azaz district, east of Afrin – state media
https://www.rt.com/news/416627-turkish-army-syria-operation/
“Turkish armed forces have advanced into the Azaz district of Syria, east of the Afrin region, state Anadolu agency reported. This comes as Operation Olive Branch against Kurdish forces enters its third day.
President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Turkey would not take a step back from the operation in the Afrin region. He also said that Ankara had an agreement with Russia regarding its military operation against a US-backed Kurdish militia.
Speaking in Ankara, Erdogan stressed that he wants to support the national security and territorial integrity of Syria as Turkey “has no designs on territories of another country.”
US Arms Supplies to Loyal Groups in Syria Led to Turkish Op – Russian MoD
https://sputniknews.com/russia/201801201060921199-russia-turkey-military-operation-afrin-concern/
“The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the Pentagon’s arms supplies to US-backed groups in Syria triggered Turkey’s military operation in Afrin and undermined the peace process.
“The main reasons that have contributed to the development of a critical situation in this part of Syria were the provocative US steps aimed at the separation of regions with a predominantly Kurdish population,” the statement said.
The Ministry added that the US has undermined the process of political settlement of the Syrian crisis and impeded the Geneva peace talks.
“Uncontrolled deliveries of modern weapons, including reportedly the deliveries of the man-portable air defense systems, by the Pentagon to the pro-US forces in northern Syria, have contributed to the rapid escalation of tensions in the region and resulted in the launch of a special operation by the Turkish troops.”
‘US broken promises to stop arming Kurds triggered Afrin op’ – Turkey’s ex-FM to RT
https://www.rt.com/news/416586-washington-arming-kurds-afrin-operation/
“If the US wasn’t going to arm Kurds, Turkey wouldn’t have arrived to the point where it is.” Ankara “tried to draw attention of its ally, [telling the Americans] ‘You should not arm and train and provide ammunition to a terrorist group’,” Yakis said, referring to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) viewed by Ankara as a terrorist group.
With President Recep Erdogan pledging to expand the military offensive beyond Afrin, extending it to Manbij, Turkey will engage the Americans, leading to the two powers clashing in a third country, he said. This would be “unacceptable in the alliance.”