f you’re able, and if you like our content and approach, please support the project. Our work wouldn’t be possible without your help: PayPal: southfront@list.ru or via: http://southfront.org/donate/ or via: https://www.patreon.com/southfront
Voiceover by Harold Hoover
A number of Russian troops and vehicles have entered the area of the Afrin Canton controlled by fighters of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), according to photos and videos appearing online.
Pro-Kurdish media activists speculate that the Russian military is going to set up a military base or even a “joint military base” in the YPG-held area near the border with Turkey.
According to more neutral sources, Russian military servicemen are setting up two posts near the border in order to monitor possible clashes between Kurdish militias and the Turkish military.
This comes amid increasing US military activity along the Syrian-Turkish border. According to Kurdish sources in northeastern Syria, US troops have been patrolling the Kurdish-held areas bordering Turkey. Thus, US troops are a buffer force that should prevent Ankara from combating Kurdish militias in Syria.
The YPG which is a branch of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and a core of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), is described by Turkey as a terrorist group.
In the province of Raqqah, the SDF is very close to capturing the whole area of the town of Tabqah from ISIS. When Tabqah is secured, the SDF, supported by the US-led coalition’s air power, artillery, and military advisors, will focus on securing the Tabqa dam and will continue attempts to further isolate Raqqah.
Earlier this week, western backed militant groups captured Al-Humaymah southwest of Deir Ezzor. This operation was part of the broader effort aimed at expanding control along the Syrian-Iraqi border.
With the collapsing of ISIS defenses in central Syria and in the area of the Iraqi city of Mosul, various factions involved in the Syrian conflict have increased efforts aimed at gaining control of as many important areas as possible.
While there is little doubt that the SDF, with significant US military assistance, will be able to seize Raqqah one day, the Deir Ezzor countryside and areas along the Syrian-Iraqi border will remain contested between US-backed forces and the Syrian government.
Fighting between government troops and ISIS terrorists continued near the Talilah crossroad east of Palmyra. ISIS has been conducting harassment operations against the Syrian Arab Army in the area in order to prevent a possible government advance along the Palmyra-Deir Ezzor road.
Government forces, led by the Republican Guard, continued military operations against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its allies in the district of Qaboun in eastern Damascus. Government troops there are seeking to divide the pocket into two separated parts. This will be a major move, if accomplished, on the way to a full liberation of the area from militants.
This same ‘news’ was going around a couple of months back.
Why is it making the rounds yet again?
If it is true…. .. then it seems that Syria’s sovereignty is negotiable for the Russians as it is obviously for the Americans.
If this news is true?
Will the Syrians be as angered with Russian betrayal as they are with American?
http://pennyforyourthoughts2.blogspot.ca/2017/05/syrians-rage-over-american-flag-flying.html
I think they’ll be even angrier.
” .. then it seems that Syria’s sovereignty is negotiable for the Russians as it is obviously for the Americans.”
How did you jump to that conclusion? And by the way, to the USA the sovereignty of Syria is of no importance whatsoever, so their position is incomparable to that of the Russian Federation.
Jumping to that conclusion happens because it is an implicit endorsement of Kurdish sovereignty moving into areas they control.
Unless of course it has been previously cleared with the Syrian Government/ Bashar.
Not really sure what Russia are doing moving into the Afrin pocket.
What is the point of it? It is nearly wholly surrounded by Turkish forces. (Western side, Northern side, Eastern side).
If Turkey decides to attack Afrin (to get at the Kurds), but not at the Americans (because there aren’t any in Afrin right?) – what do Russia do?
Join a war against Turkey (and see the Bosporus Straits closed) over the Afrin pocket. Really? I can’t see it.
Or retreat and then be considered by the Kurds (all Kurds) as useless allies that will betray the Kurds at the first whim. If this happened this would undoubtedly be a blow to wider Russian prestige given they’ve moved in there which carries with it an implicit promise of defending that area from attack – else why expose oneself to such a risk?
I wouldn’t even be surprised if the Americans, to curry favor with the Kurds over their occupation of other Kurdish lands in Syria, encourage the Turks to do just this to put the Russians in a no-win situation and at the same time promise the Kurds in the rest of Syria their long-sought after independence (or at least quasi-independence).
Does anyone think the Americans could sink to such a level? They could offer the rest of the Kurdish areas American-backed sovereignty in return and a continued military presence to protect this putative Kurdistan from Turkish attacks while at the same time agreeing with the Turks that the two areas of Syrian Kurdistan should never be allowed to link up and in deference to that, the Turks can grab Afrin (permanently) and the rest of the territories they hold North of Aleppo.
A blatant land grab for both the Turks and the Kurds.
A win for the Turks.
A win for the Kurds.
A win for the Americans because they’ve given wins to both of their allies the Kurds & Turks.
A loss for Syria.
A loss for Russia.
As for this comment.
Earlier this week, western backed militant groups captured Al-Humaymah southwest of Deir Ezzor. This operation was part of the broader effort aimed at expanding control along the Syrian-Iraqi border.
South-West of Deir Ezzor? Really?
On the road to Palmyra? Or do you mean South-East towards the Iraqi border.
Very confusing when a Google search fo Al-Humaymah, Syria turns up a place East of Aleppo.
The biggest fail for Syria & Russia over the last 2 years, is that they have not been able to regain control of any part of the Syrian boarder. All of their boarders have been lost and remain so. This has allowed any and all outside forces ( ISIS & AL included) to be totally free to do anything they wish.
Turkey, the US, SA and to a lessor extent Jordan & Israel have taken their bite out of Syria to the extent that it now seems almost impossible for Syria to return to a single sovereign state.
Not all the players are aware of all the eschatologies. Some are forced to act. Some are resigned to their glory. Some think to make a fetish doll akin to Ezekiel’s clay Jerusalem.
Speaking of which…it…is about to be torn in half along a line running north to south.
The Americans were building up troops on the Jordanian border with Syria, is that still going on and is ti a concern?
RT 1800 news today 5/3 begins with salient points of meeting between erdo and comrade president – it seems that there is a deal…evolving, probably with betrayals…