The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (TFSA) used their advantage over Kurdish YPG/YPJ forces in the area of Afrin and captured Bursaya Mount, Qastal Jundu and Yazibagh. Additionally, the TAF and the TFSA entered the area of Kevire Kerr Mountain where an intense fighting was reported. On other fronts, the YPG/YPJ was able to repel attacks by Turkish forces.
The Turkish General Staff released a statement claiming that Turkish forces ‘neutralized’ 73 ‘terrorists’ including some mysterious ISIS members in Afrin on January 29 alone. The statement added that from the start of Operation Olive Branch on January 20 to January 29, in total 557 so-called ‘terrorists’ had been ‘neutralized.’
On the same day the YPG media wing claimed that, an YPJ member, Avesta Khaboor, blew herself up destroying a Turkish battle tank in the Jandaris district. The report allowed pro-Turkish sources to claim that the YPG/YPJ started using suicide bombers against the TAF and the TFSA.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara forces will clear the entire Turkish-Syrian border from Kurdish militias “step by step.” Separately, he hinted that the TAF may enter deeper into the province of Idlib and even reach the provincial capital. “If Allah permits, then we will reach Idlib,” he said.
The Turkish statements over the situation in Syria have become much more aggressive since Operation Olive Branch started. They indicate that Ankara could seek to establish own political or military control over a large areas. However, these goals are limited by the current diplomatic and military situation in the region.
In eastern Idlib, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies are still working to secure the town of Abu al-Duhur. According to the recent reports, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham remains in control of some part of the town.
Syrian and Russian warplanes carried out up to 100 airstrikes on militant targets in eastern Idlib, southern Aleppo and northern Hama. Pro-government sources speculate, that this is a part of the preparations for the upcoming offensive. The SAA uses the pause to re-group its forces.
In Eastern Ghouta, Ahrar al-Sham, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Faylaq al-Rahman resumed their attempts to capture the Armoured Vehicles Base. The militants damaged 2 BMP-1 vehicles and killed an unknown number of the SAA soldiers, but were not able to overrun the government defense. In turn, the SAA destroyed a militant car bomb.
The situation in Eastern Ghouta shows that the ceasefire efforts in the area will remain useless while the militants still have capabilities and will to continue their offensive operations.
US Is Not Going To Withdraw From Manbij Despite Turkey’s Warning
https://southfront.org/us-not-going-withdraw-manbij-despite-turkeys-warning/
US Central Command chief General Joseph Votel said on January 29 that the US is not going to pull out its forces from Syria’s Manbij despite Turksih statements to launch a military operation against the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) there.
According to official reports, the US has about 2,000 troops deployed in northern Syria. These troops are embedded with SDF units.
So US is SDF and SDF is US in Syria. Game over.
Who has the Balls to Deal with US in Syria?
I know WHO should deal with the bastards,Russia, SAA, Hezbollah, and Iran,they should have dealt with them as soon as they crossed the border,if they want another Afghanistan on their hands let them have it.
Should…Would…Could…DID!!!
Erdogan.
Balls?
I’m sure that brains are more useful there and Iran, Russia, Hezbollah have enough, as extensively proved ’till now.
But you’re probably American … so balls are good and enough for you.
@ Permafrost
Your comment is weak, based in hate, and not in facts. I’m not American, and my English isn’t good enough, because it is one of 5 languages I speak and write. With exception of Vietnam, and partially Korea: everything West – N.A.T.O takes, never gives it Back.
We are here to discus, not to humiliate each other.
I don’t let myself to go down to your level and start arguing with you, no matter that there are many facts that proof you wrong.
“Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.”
― Mark Twain
Putin silent over meet with zionazia general manager.
Radio silence after ‘very productive’ Putin-Netanyahu Moscow talks
https://www.rt.com/news/417319-putin-netanyahu-talks-silence/
“The reaction of the Russian president to these statements, however, remained a mystery.”
@vot tak. Not entirely silent. Meaningful post onSyrPer: Jean
This quote from Putin after his meeting with Bibi on terror:
Putin said that memory of the Holocaust is “a warning against any attempt to jump on the idea of global domination, to announce, build or assert one’s grandeur based on racism, ethnic or any other supremacy. Russia categorically rejects any such attempt.”
Which so called country is built on a supposed grandeur based on racism, ethnic and supremacy you think? Yes, that one.
Russian airstrikes on route have stopped Turkish convoy and they have turned back towards Turkey….
https://fb.me/3q1hqtmWQ
From Bundy in SyrPer 1hr ago: “news of Syria regime jets strafing TSK convoy near Atareb, West Aleppo. Convoy has reportedly shut the lights off and waiting for orders/resolution of situation.
Getting + confirmations of TSK convoy under attack by Syria regime near Atareb. Turkey artillery reportedly fired against regime positions near AlHadir, S. Aleppo. TSK convoy retreated to Qanater, SW Aleppo.
According to Idlib activists who witnessed TSK convoy passing, it consisted of 20 tanks, 30 IFVs, over 70 vehicles, including up-armoured Panthers, towed artillery and transport trucks.
Pro Syria FB page confirms “artillery strikes” as TSK convoy was about to deploy in Al-Eiss, S. Aleppo.
“It was a message to Turkey not to play with fire”.
Turkey did not inform Russia Syria of their convoy
More details about the turk convoy incident:
“110 Turkish military vehicles tried to enter Tal el-Eis without coordination with Russia and Syria. Over 70 shells were fired at the convoy, forcing it to pull out. Syrian Army and allies are present at Tal el-Eis, a very important & strategic hill.
A commander on the ground offered a plausible explaination of the Turkish move in Tel ElEiss: Turkey asked most proxies to join the attack on the Kurdish enclave in Afrin. By responding 2 the call, most positions in the area were left w/ little effectives
Turkey decided to inject around 200 soldiers and officers in Tel El-Eiss (mimicking the USA forces in Manbij) and imposing an ipso-facto: we are here so you (Russia and Syrian Forces) respect the demarcation line with HTS & Turkish allies.
Russia Damascus and allies (there is a presence of allis forces in tel El-Eiss) rejected the Turkish attempt to I’mpose a new demarcation line and bombed around the Turkish convoy, forcing its to pull out. The aim wasn’t to destroy it.
Turkey and allies understand that Tel El-Eiss is not protected (and won’t be as such due to its importance. Further, there are 24 Hezbollah corps buried in it to be recovered). This is an area where Damascus forces plan to recover sometime this year.
Well thats Elijah J. Magnier take on things as there are significant Hezbollah burials on the hill. As well as all allied forces in the area.”
Quoting a comment from Bundy at SyrPer.