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Our volunteers inside #Afrin confirm that #Turkish army has closed the border crossing in village of Nisria of Jindirese town, where #FSA fractions used to smuggle armament and people into #Turkey, after a dispute between smugglers. The smugglers have instead started to++
use the border crosssing at village of Hamam of the same town.
Sources on the ground told AAN that #Turkish troops closely collaborate with the smugglers to use the crossing into Turkey in exchange for $1.500 per person. The smuggling activities on the border with #Turkey++
Sources on the ground told AAN that #Turkish troops closely collaborate with the smugglers to use the crossing into Turkey in exchange for $1.500 per person. The smuggling activities on the border with #Turkey++
video of which has just been released and been circulated on social media platforms, has increased after the recent operations by #YPG targeting terrorists and other local groups targeting both terrorists and their families.
1) Today—on the 4th anniversary of the Kocho Massacre, when #IS slaughtered an entire town as part of the Yazidi Genocide—#Turkey bombed a #Yazidi convoy in #Sinjar that was returning from the Kocho Massacre memorial ceremony, killing Mam Zaki, an important Yazidi #PKK leader. 
Will Turkey Drop the US Dollar? @FortRussNews fort-russ.com/2018/08/will-t…
Can anyone tell me what exactly #Turkey has gained from its war against #Syria besides a collapsing currency, millions of refugees, an increase in terrorist attacks, the establishment of the #YPG and sanctions?
“Erdogan's speech is not helping the [Turkish] lira.” - @adamsamson
Preparations appear to be underway for a pro-#Assad offensive on #Idlib.
12hrs of on/off air & artillery strikes vs. southeastern & western #Idlib & northern #Hama - see marks on map (original by @ETANA_Syria + my additions).
+ multiple large pro-regime convoys moving north.
12hrs of on/off air & artillery strikes vs. southeastern & western #Idlib & northern #Hama - see marks on map (original by @ETANA_Syria + my additions).
+ multiple large pro-regime convoys moving north.
@ETANA_Syria #pt: If/when any major military campaign gets underway, expect the #Assad regime (+ #Russia & #Iran-backed militias) to focus on these 2 fronts:
1) West #Idlib (Jisr al-Shughour)
2) N. #Hama/#SE #Idlib (Latamineh, Khan Sheikhoun, Kafrazita)
-> a gradual push ‘inland’ & north.
1) West #Idlib (Jisr al-Shughour)
2) N. #Hama/#SE #Idlib (Latamineh, Khan Sheikhoun, Kafrazita)
-> a gradual push ‘inland’ & north.
@ETANA_Syria Very good by @theIRC’s @DMiliband:
- The West must “re-assert” itself & protect civilians in NW #Syria & as a backstop, safe-routes should be opened for civilians to flee into #Turkey.
- UNSC must demand full access to S #Syria; for aid, monitoring etc.
washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-w…
- The West must “re-assert” itself & protect civilians in NW #Syria & as a backstop, safe-routes should be opened for civilians to flee into #Turkey.
- UNSC must demand full access to S #Syria; for aid, monitoring etc.
washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-w…
The #YPG/#PKK announces that its operatives have murdered Akash Ahmad Ali, a member of the ruling council in Efrin. #Syria nedaa-sy.com/en/news/7735
Our partner force in #Syria, the #SDF/#PKK is further formalizing its close relationship with the #Asad/#Iran system and mulling joint offensive operations against a #NATO member. So that's all going well. reut.rs/2LD074A
Amid #Assad regime offensive in south #Syria, worth bearing in mind its continued bombing of areas in #Idlib - also under a so-called “de-escalation zone.”
Having watched the southern zone dissolved w/o response from #Jordan or #Israel, #Turkey’s now warning #Idlib = “red line."
Having watched the southern zone dissolved w/o response from #Jordan or #Israel, #Turkey’s now warning #Idlib = “red line."
The U.S.'s proposal for an accord with #Russia over #Syria, the purpose of which is to get #Iran out, is broadly known from reporting. Folks familiar with the Syria policy discussions clarified some details. <Thread below>
As an aside: the Syria policy seems to have been taken away from the State Department, wholly into the White House, specifically into the hands of John Bolton, in the run-up to this summit with Putin.
The U.S. will propose:
- Withdrawal of #Iran's personnel (inc. #Hizballah) from Syria, *not* in a "phased" manner but as Stage One of the process;
- After six months, with verification Iran is gone, the U.S. will shut down its bases, not just Tanf, all in the SDF/PKK area
- Withdrawal of #Iran's personnel (inc. #Hizballah) from Syria, *not* in a "phased" manner but as Stage One of the process;
- After six months, with verification Iran is gone, the U.S. will shut down its bases, not just Tanf, all in the SDF/PKK area
Two car bombs detonated in front of the Headquarters of a Free Syrian Army faction in #Afrin town centre in northwestern Syria. At least 10 people dead, including civilians.
"Afrin Hawks" or the "Afrin Falcons" have claimed responsibility for the twin attacks. The brigade is supposedly a unit of the US-backed Kurdish #YPG.
The Afrin Hawks vow to continue terror attacks in #Afrin if the Arab settlers from East Ghouta do not leave the Kurdish majority region.
A group calling itself "The Committee of Peaceful movement in #Raqqa" called for a peaceful uprising against the Kurdish-led #SDF. The statement demanded the Syrian Democratic Forces to leave the city and hand it over to its people.
It’s extraordinary just how much BS gets created in people’s minds.
I never once expressed “support” for #Turkey’s #Afrin operation.
- Did I say it was inevitable? Yes.
- Did I observe it & comment on its advance vis-a-vis broader #Syria dynamics (i.e. my job)? Yes.
I never once expressed “support” for #Turkey’s #Afrin operation.
- Did I say it was inevitable? Yes.
- Did I observe it & comment on its advance vis-a-vis broader #Syria dynamics (i.e. my job)? Yes.
U.S. counter-#ISIS strategy & its insistence on ignoring/denying the #YPG’s roots helped give birth to problems like #Afrin today.
Everything was driven by short-term objectives, with their long-term implications constantly swept aside as inconvenient distractions.
Now look.
Everything was driven by short-term objectives, with their long-term implications constantly swept aside as inconvenient distractions.
Now look.
Interesting [alleged] details on possible US-#Turkey roadmap on #Manbij, #Syria - from @ragipsoylu.
#PKK “advisors” to leave… followed later by #YPG… TSK to control 5/11 observation posts & train new local security force to replace #SDF in ~6 months.
#PKK “advisors” to leave… followed later by #YPG… TSK to control 5/11 observation posts & train new local security force to replace #SDF in ~6 months.
@ragipsoylu Unsurprisingly, the #PKK-controlled, #YPG/#SDF-run #Manbij Military Council (MMC) has refused any TSK presence.
Seems U.S. did not pre-consult with MMC - why? Would seem the logical thing to work out internal issues first…
Does someone want spoilers?
reuters.com/article/us-mid…
Seems U.S. did not pre-consult with MMC - why? Would seem the logical thing to work out internal issues first…
Does someone want spoilers?
reuters.com/article/us-mid…
@ragipsoylu The #YPG/#SDF’s political “co-chair,” Ilham Ahmed (a #PKK veteran) has reportedly arrived in #Damascus for talks with the #Assad regime.
Ilham Ahmed is a regular visitor to Washington DC - a close partner to the U.S/@CJTFOIR/@StateDept.
Ilham Ahmed is a regular visitor to Washington DC - a close partner to the U.S/@CJTFOIR/@StateDept.
BREAKING: The White House has said that US President #Trump is canceling his upcoming South America trip to remain in the US "to oversee the American response to Syria." - @NBCNews
Instead of giving back the city of Afrin to the central government of #Damascus, #YPG took the decision on behalf of all inhabitants, #Kurdxs and Arabs, to pull out and allow #Turkey to occupy it: #YPG "greatest" strategy. No place for Kurds even in the mountains now.
What are strategic options for the US in Syria over Turkey-#YPG debacle? Only four, none perfect:
1) Strategic procrastination
2) Prefer Turkey over #YPG
3) Prefer YPG over Turkey
4) Play an active role in reconciling Turkey and YPG/#PKK
#thread +
1) Strategic procrastination
2) Prefer Turkey over #YPG
3) Prefer YPG over Turkey
4) Play an active role in reconciling Turkey and YPG/#PKK
#thread +
+ First option is strategic procrastination: trying to put a bandaid on big problems with / between Turkey & YPG, hoping things will eventually work themselves out. They won’t, they’ll only get worse, & US will eventually be blamed by *both* Turkey & YPG +
+Strategic procrastination also includes “piecemeal concessions” to both Turkey and YPG to temporarily calm them down. This won’t work. Divide & conflict between TR & YPG is real, and deepening every day. No “smart, cheap, fast” solutions here. Big problem requires big solution +
The logic driving this “humanitarian” narrative is riddled with inaccuracies & contradiction.
1. @MaxBoot says we should “let #Assad win,” but that at the same time, the U.S. should “stand with” the #SDF in 25% of #Syria (the northeast) -- how does that work, exactly?
1. @MaxBoot says we should “let #Assad win,” but that at the same time, the U.S. should “stand with” the #SDF in 25% of #Syria (the northeast) -- how does that work, exactly?
2. The author also says U.S should “cut a deal” w. #Erdogan, in which “the #YPG will sever all support for the #PKK” … [despite the vast majority of #PYD/YPG leadership being long-time PKK/KCK veterans.]
Speak to anyone who regularly visits #SDF in NE - PKK calls the shots.
Speak to anyone who regularly visits #SDF in NE - PKK calls the shots.
3. The author also links recent pictures of #Aleppo’s public park to compare “2016 charnel house” to 2018 "civilians strolling through its rebuilt public park.”
Except the park sat in regime-held territory & was barely touched in 4yrs of war. How does conquered east Aleppo look?
Except the park sat in regime-held territory & was barely touched in 4yrs of war. How does conquered east Aleppo look?
#Russia is discussing/finalising with #Turkey the cease-fire in #Afrin to allow 4000 #SAA men to take control of the entire city, surrounding villages, establish 52 positions in the enclave and deploy forces on the borders with #Turkey.
#SRO - What happened in Kusham area is the first real and strong #US action to protect its interests, the #SDF and its military advisors... Be sure this will reinforce #SDF recuitment policy and popularity... (1)
#SRO | HISTORY | MAP - Here is a map (the only one on the web) based on documented places and elements showing #Aleppo and its countryside in August 22, 2012 [One month after start of Maarakat al-Furqan in July 21, 2012] | #Syria. 
CHRONOLOGY :
- Azaz is secured by rebellion in July 19, 2012
- Silent cells taking over Salah ad-Din in #Aleppo city in July 20, 2012
- Anadan secured in July 29, 2012
- Al-Bab and Tadef secured in July 29, 2012
- Most of E-#Aleppo under rebellion in August 6, 2012
- Azaz is secured by rebellion in July 19, 2012
- Silent cells taking over Salah ad-Din in #Aleppo city in July 20, 2012
- Anadan secured in July 29, 2012
- Al-Bab and Tadef secured in July 29, 2012
- Most of E-#Aleppo under rebellion in August 6, 2012
CHRONOLOGY AROUND #ALEPPO :
- Taanah battalion under rebels in September 2012.
- Military academy is taken by Liwa al-Tawhid in December 2012.
- Battalion 135 is falling in January 2013.
- Police academy is falling in March 2013.
- Kindi and Prison besieged since April 29, 2013.
- Taanah battalion under rebels in September 2012.
- Military academy is taken by Liwa al-Tawhid in December 2012.
- Battalion 135 is falling in January 2013.
- Police academy is falling in March 2013.
- Kindi and Prison besieged since April 29, 2013.
#SRO - If we compare Day 1 to Day 16, the onlyreal and interesting advances by #Turkey suppletives and tanks are Bersaya and Bulbul town. It took three weeks for that. The maximum advance "deep" is 5.5 km (1).
#SRO - #YPG and #YPJ are showing impressive resistance at #Afrin borders. Pro-#Turkey activists recognizing it. Note Jaysh al-Thuwar and #SDF #FSAare still stationned at #Tal_Rifaat and Shahbah frontlines, so, not involved (1).
Over 110 killed of #Turkey proxy and #YPG today following fierce clashes on the borders of #Afrin enclave when the Turkish forces failed to make any serious advance. However, this is the largest number of casualties in one day for #Kurds.
The #SDF had denied Turkish reports that the border town of #Reyhanlı was shelled by #YPG, stating two days ago: "We have nothing to do in shelling [of Reyhanlı] civilian settlements. We never target the territory outside of our borders." 
