Russia Begins Operations in Syria: End Game for the US Empire?

[sToRmR1dR]

Kremlin Confirms Information on Syrian Army Taking Control of Manbij

On Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan brushed off the report on Manbij passing under the Syrian government's control as a "psychological operation", saying that "there is nothing definite yet".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Saturday the information that the Syrian government's forces had taken control of the city of Manbij was true.

On Friday, the Syrian Arab Army announced its troops had entered the northern city of Manbij after a request by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) to take control of the town ahead of Turkey's looming offensive in the area.

"Considering the obligation of the army to respond to the call by the people of Manbij, the General Staff declares that the army has entered Manbij and raised the flag of the Syrian Arab Republic there", the army's statement was cited by the Syrian state broadcaster.

Once the news broke, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dismissed the claims as a "psychological operation" and said that the situation in the area remained unclear.

The Turkish president further said that Ankara's main goal in the Arab Republic was to drive terrorists out of the country:

"We are against dividing Syria, our goal is to have terrorists out of there. Then we will have no other business there", he stressed.

Erdogan expressed readiness to launch a military operation against Kurdish fighters in Manbij this month, but eventually postponed the offensive following a phone converation with US President Donald Trump, who decided to withdraw American troops from the Mideast country. Ankara considers the YPG to be affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey.


Nebenzya: Syrian army control on borders with Iraq will curb threats of Daesh



Russia’s permanent representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya affirmed on Saturday that the Syrian army control on borders with Iraq will curb threats of the terrorist organization of Daesh.

Nebenzya, added in an interview with NOVOSTI that Moscow is confident that the Syrian army control over the Syrian-Iraqi borders will help eliminate the threat posed by Daesh.

He said that the withdrawal of foreign troops, present on the Syrian territory without the acceptance of the Syrian legitimate authorities, is a step in the right direction.


President al-Assad receives letter from Iraqi Prime Minister on bilateral cooperation, particularly combating terrorism



President Bashar al-Assad received on Saturday a message from Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi conveyed by Iraqi National Security Adviser Faleh al-Fayad.

The message concentrated on the developments of relations between the two countries and the necessity of continuing coordination between them on all levels, particularly in regards to combating terrorism and the cooperation in this regards, especially along borders between the two states.

During the meeting, President al-Assad underlined that good relations with Iraq and the standing cooperation in the fight against terrorism have formed a powerful factor for both countries in their war against terrorism.

President al-Assad affirmed the importance of continuing this cooperation and coordination until eliminating the remaining of terrorist cells in some Syrian and Iraqi regions.

Viewpoints were also exchanged about the latest developments on the regional and international arenas.

President al-Assad stressed that the positive events witnessed in the region, particularly on the level of restoring security and stability in the majority of Syrian and Iraqi cities affirm that the will of people in the region in keeping sovereignty of their regions was more powerful than the external plots.

Al-Fayad, for his part, said that the success of the Iraqi people in confronting terrorism and the victories achieved by Syria and its capability of restoring security and defeating terrorism in the majority of its territories, the latest of which was the entry of the Syrian army to Manbij, are all good indications for the whole region.

Talks during the meeting dealt with bilateral relations between the two brotherly states and means of developing them in all domains in the interest of the Syrian and Iraqi people.


Syrian Army reinforcements pour into Manbij area to counteract Turkish troops

A large group of reinforcements from the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) made their way from Aleppo city to the outskirts of Manbij this afternoon, a military source told Al-Masdar News.

According to the military source, the Syrian Arab Army reinforcements were deployed to the northwestern outskirts of Manbij, where they were ordered to stand their ground against any potential Turkish aggression on the city.

The reinforcements were mostly comprised of soldiers from the Republican Guard units that were deployed in the northeastern part of Aleppo.

More reinforcements are expected to head to the outskirts of Manbij in the coming hours as they attempt to ward off the Turkish-backed rebels that are threatening to capture the city from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).


Syrian Army Highly on Alert to Counter Turkish Troops' Possible Operation in Manbij

The sources said that the Damascus forces, deployed in Manbji, are on alert to counter any attack by the Turkish soldiers and Ankara-backed militants.

The sources went on to say that the Army Command has ordered Presidential Guard Forces and other Damascus soldiers to give a crushing response to any military operation by the Ankara forces in Manbij region.

They further said that the Ankara forces have started preparing for a military operation in Manbij after the Syrian Army's arrival in the region.

The sources quoted Ziad Hajji Obeid, Commander of the militants of Turkey-backed National Army, as saying that a sum of 15,000 militants from his group have prepared to enter Manbij, adding that almost 25,000 gunmen of the Ankara-backed Free Army have been preparing to enter the towns of Tal Abyadh and Ra'as al-Ein.


Turkey deploys 50 tanks to border with Syria — TV

The Turkish General Staff has deployed about 50 tanks to the Syrian border amid the preparation for a new military operation in Syria, TV channel Haberturk reported on Saturday.

The tanks were deployed yesterday morning under the command of the 20th armored brigade in the city of Sanliurfa. The equipment was deployed from Hatay Province. It was reported that in the future military equipment will be located directly on the Syrian border.

During the last several weeks Ankara has been reinforcing garrisons and army units with armored and support vehicles and artillery weapons. It is linked to the preparation for a new military operation of Turkey in Syria in the Manbij area, which entered its active stage following US President Donald Trump's declaration of the upcoming withdrawal of the American forces from Syria. Manbij is one of the largest Kurdish centers in eastern Syria, and Ankara believes that Kurds should leave it and give the city to the Arab population of the country.

The Kurdish troops tried to refrain from direct confrontation with the Syrian government and did not support the opposition, demanding autonomy. The Kurds found themselves in isolation facing the threat of the Turkish invasion and addressed Damascus for help on Friday, suggesting that the army should occupy the regions in Manbij controlled by them. The Syrian General Staff reported on Friday that the government forces entered Manbij, but the Turkish side did not comment on this information.

On December 12, the Turkish president reported the intention to start an operation in the coming days against the Kurdish People’s Protection Units and the Democratic Union, which Ankara considers to be the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River. Before that, Turkey already held two military operations on Syrian territory: Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch, as a result of which a buffer zone of security was created between the bordering cities of Azaz and Jarabulus, and the Afrin region, which is populated by Kurds, was occupied.


VIDEO: TURKEY CONTINUES TO DEPLOY BATTLE TANKS, OTHER MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO BORDER WITH SYRIA

As Syrian government forces continue to bargain with the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) and local YPG allies over the control of the northern Syrian town of Manbij [Syrian army troops have not entered the town yet], Turkey is deploying more and more military equipment on the border withthe country.

If the YPG and the Damascus government find no comprehensive political solution on the situation in Manbij, the situation may escalate rapidly in the Manbij countryside. Turkish-backed militant groups and the Turkish Army have concentrated a large force near the area and they are openly threatening to employ it against the YPG, which they concisder to be a terrorist group.

On December 29, a high-profile Turksih delegation is also visiting Moscow to negotiate on the situation in Syria.

Syria: Turkey Dispatches ISIL Terrorists to Manbij Outskirts

Xeber 24 news website, affiliated to the Kurdish militia, reported that a large number of ISIL and Tahrir al-Sham terrorists are accompanying Turkish army convoys deployed in Manbij region in Northern Syria.

It further said that the Turkish army had used the ISIL in the Afrin occupation operation as well.

The news website went on to say that the Turkish army forwarded a military convoy to Eastern Aleppo via Jarabulus border-crossing after arrival of the Syrian Army in Manbij.

Another military convoy of the Turkish Army has been dispatched to Ilbaili region in Kilis province at border with Syria.

In the meantime, the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that Ankara is sending a growing number of forces to Manbij outskirts.


US-Backed SDF Sends Aid Convoy to ISIL Terrorists in Eastern Syria

The sources reported that a number of SDF vehicles, carrying food stuff, were sent to al-Sha'afah via al-Alalouni passageway in Eastern Deir Ezzur.

The sources pointed to a possible agreement between the SDF and the ISIL over sending the convoy in return for receiving a hefty amount of money by the Washington-backed militia.

In November, the Arabic-language al-Ma'aloumah news website quoted Ahamd al-Sahrifi, an Iraqi security expert, as disclosing that the US intended to heliborne ISIL terrorists from Syria-Iraq border to regions behind Iraqi forces' positions near border with Syria.

It further said that the US plan to heliborne ISIL to Iraq came after the Iraqi forces deployed at border with Syria and close off any infiltration by terrorists into Iraq.

Al-Sharifi further said that ISIL has not only been supported financially and militarily in the battlefield but also received logistic and diplomatic backup in regional and international arenas.


Watch: Kurdish women take part in battle against ISIS in Deir Ezzor

The Kurdish women of the People’s Protection Units (YPJ) have played an integral role in the battle against the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh), often providing necessary military support along the front-lines with the terrorist group.

During the battle for Hajin, the YPJ helped overwhelm the remaining Islamic State militants inside the town, paving the way for the complete capture of the area.

As shown in the short video below, the YPJ can be seen taking the battle to the remaining Islamic State terrorists that are still active in the Hajin area:

 

[goyacobol]

The Kurdish women of the People’s Protection Units (YPJ) have played an integral role in the battle against the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh), often providing necessary military support along the front-lines with the terrorist group.

The sad part for me is that the Kurds until now have not thought about working with Syrian government but have kept wishfully thinking that they would gain their own independent state/country.

I have admired their courage that extends even to the female combat troops. I don't know if it is too late for them or not. I will just "wait and see".

They have been so "used" in this arena and I suppose wanting a "homeland" is a very attractive bait for many not just them.

 

[Windmill knight]

The sad part for me is that the Kurds until now have not thought about working with Syrian government but have kept wishfully thinking that they would gain their own independent state/country.

I have admired their courage that extends even to the female combat troops. I don't know if it is too late for them or not. I will just "wait and see".

They have been so "used" in this arena and I suppose wanting a "homeland" is a very attractive bait for many not just them.

Yeah. I think they will do the right thing and side with the Syrian government, simply because they know they cannot take on Turkey alone. If they do and let the Syrian Army occupy their side of the country, as is happening in Manbij right now, then Turkey will most likely call off the offensive, and everyone will be happily on their way to how things were before the war (unless we get any more dirty tricks or surprises).

Now one could say, "don't the Kurds deserve their own country?" Perhaps, but I have a few objections to that, the most important one being that at this point in time what they would have gotten was not a country of their own, but a puppet state of the US and Israel, and thanks to Trump's pullout that seems less likely now. They made a pact with the devil by siding with those parties against the Syrian government when it was under siege. They fought well against jihadists, but betraying Syria as they intended kind of cancels the good deeds.

There's also the fact that they are also considered terrorists by several parties, and not entirely without reason. I've read they engage in practices like drug-trafficking and enlisting children for war, they are quite racist against non-Kurds in the region, and they have a hard-core communist ideology.

Finally, when most of the natural resources of Syria lie on their side of the Euphrates (which is not all Kurd, as there are also Arabs living there), yet they represent a disproportionately small percentage of the overall population of Syria, one needs to carefully consider how such an independent state, even if democratically achieved, is going to impact the standard of living of the rest of Syria.

So all things considered, I'm personally happy they will not go their own way - at least not for now!

In the end, however, it seems very unrealistic for the Kurds to ever become independent because all their neighbors will oppose such a project: Turkey, Syria and Iraq.

 

[angelburst29]

2018-12-29 - Syrian President makes surprise visit to Tartous
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-president-makes-surprise-visit-to-tartous-photos/



BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:00 P.M.) – Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and his family made a surprise visit to the Tartous Governorate this weekend, as they celebrate the holiday in this coastal province.

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and his wife, Asma, pictured as they drive through a undisclosed part of Tartou

The Syrian President and his wife speak with locals in Tartous

Leith Aboufadel | AMN
The Syrian President’s sons, Hafaz and Bassel, pose for a picture with a local in Tartous.

 

[goyacobol]

So all things considered, I'm personally happy they will not go their own way - at least not for now!

In the end, however, it seems very unrealistic for the Kurds to ever become independent because all their neighbors will oppose such a project: Turkey, Syria and Iraq.

I have been hoping they would wake up and smell the reality they have been creating for themselves too.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Assad gives Iraq green light to launch attacks in Syria without approval

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad has allegedly given Iraq approval to conduct attacks inside Syria without his government’s approval, Iraqi News reported on Sunday.

According to the report, Assad will allow Iraq to carry out attacks against the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) without his government’s approval, as long as they keep an open line of communication with Damascus.

What will this mean?

Iraq will be able to attack Islamic State targets in Syria without awaiting Damascus’ approval, thus allowing them to continue their fight against the terrorist group without any interruption or obstruction.

This move by the Syrian government comes as the U.S. announced their military withdrawal from Syria after a long campaign inside this Levantine country.

Iraq and Syria have made several strides in improving their relations over the last five years, prompting both historical nations to work closely together in the fight against the Islamic State.


Syrian Army destroy militant launching pads in northern Hama

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) targeted a group of launching pads used by the Islamist rebels in the northern countryside of the Hama province on Sunday.

Using their surface to-surface missiles, the Syrian Arab Army repeatedly pounded the Islamist positions around the large hilltop of Tal Bizam, scoring a number of direct hits on the militant defenses.

According to a military communique, the Syrian Arab Army managed to destroy the militant launching pads, while also inflicting heavy casualties within the ranks of the Islamist rebels.

In addition to their attacks on Tal Bizam, the Syrian Arab Army also targeted the Islamist defenses near the key town of Morek, which is where the Turkish observation post is currently located.

The Syrian Army was reportedly targeting the trenches of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham near Morek.


Syrian Army wont enter Manbij city: YPG

The spokesperson for the People’s Protection Units (YPG), Nuri Mahmoud, told Rudaw News on Saturday evening that the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) will not enter Manbij city.

“We have just called on the Syria Army to come and protect the territorial integrity of the Syrian land and our talks have been in this context, not for them to enter Manbij city,” he told Rudaw News.

“The Syrian army is not going to enter Manbij city or its surrounding villages. There are no Syrian troops at the moment inside Manbij city,” Mahmoud he continued.

“They are going to be stationed outside the cities to protect the integrity of Syria,” he said.

In regards to the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Manbij, Mahmoud said they have not received orders on how to leave or when to leave.

“Until now there have been no practical steps made by the Americans to withdraw from northern Syria, it is just a decision,” he said.

“The Americans have not even received advice as to how they should withdraw and from where,” Mahmoud added.


Kurdish forces call entry of Syrian Army in Manbij ‘fake news’

Suzan Al-Hussein from the Joint Presidency for the Legislative Council of Manbij denied that Syrian government forces had entered Manbij during an interview on Saturday.

“We, as a civil administration in Manbij, claim that such news is not true, such news is fake” Al-Hussein said, adding: “The regime did not arrive to Manbij up to now. There might be some agreements for the regime, it may be positioned on the friction lines between Manbij city and the Turkish part. If such an agreement were to take place, it would be under the leadership of the Manbij Military Council.”

Residents of Manbij also expressed their opinions regarding the potential Turkish offensive in the region.

“We denounce the Turkish occupation heading towards Manbij, because Erdogan and his mercenaries are occupiers, they have no right. We – the population here – have been coexisting for three years now, I swear that there is no better situation, and the propaganda is unbelievable,” said Abu Elias, member of ‘Syria the Future’ party.

According to another resident, “Some say that the Turks will arrive, others say that the [Syrian] regime will arrive. But I have been wandering through the city for a couple of days and I saw neither. I’ve seen no one.”

In Sulaymaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan, the representative of the Kurdish self-administration in Syria Jawidan Kamal Hassan said that the US withdrawal from Syria was not expected, as a political solution for the country is still far away and the prospect of a Turkish invasion is looming.

The SAA is planning to enter the northern city of Manbij, close to the border with Turkey, following a request from the Kurdish YPG for it to protect the location.
https://www.almasdarnews.com/articl...-tensions-with-turkey-over-sdf-support-video/
Meanwhile, reacting to the SAA’s reported entrance in the city, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country was determined to “destroy” Kurdish militants in Manbij.

Source: Ruptly


LOCAL OFFICIAL DENY THAT SYRIAN ARMY ENTERED MANBIJ TOWN

A Co-Chairman of the Executive Council of the Democratic Civil Administration of Manbij denied that the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has entered the northern city and said that units of the local Manbij Military Council (MMC) are still deployed there.

“The Syrian military deployment will be limited to the separation line between the MMC and the mercenaries of the Turkish occupation in order to counter any threat to the security and stability of the city of Manbij,” Mohamed Sheikhou added during an interview with the Kurdish Hawar News Agency (ANHA) on December 30.​

Sheikhou also stressed that the MMC and security forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) will continue to defend the city against any threat.

On December 28, the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) announced its withdrawal from Manbij and called on the SAA to protect the city from Turkey’s threats. The army responded within few hours and deployed a large force in the outskirt of the strategic city.

The Kremlin confirmed that units of the SAA were deployed around Manbij. However, the US-led coalition denied any changes in military forces in city and activists confirmed that its forces are still there.

The army step was clearly aimed at protecting the city and not at taking over it. The Damascus government may reach a wider agreement with the SDF to co-govern northeastern Syria, including Manbij, in the upcoming few weeks.


ISIS nearly wiped out east of Euphrates as SDF troops seize new town

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have scored a major advance in eastern Deir Ezzor, today, seizing a new town from the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) terror group.

Backed by U.S. Coalition airstrikes, the Syrian Democratic Forces made their last major push inside of Al-Kashmah on Sunday morning after seizing most of the town from the Islamic State terrorists.

According to local reports from Deir Ezzor, the Syrian Democratic Forces were able to overpower the remaining Islamic State militants in the southern part of Al-Kashah, forcing them to retreat south to the nearby Al-Shafah area.

Following the withdrawal of the Islamic State from Al-Kashmah, the Syrian Democratic Forces swept into their areas and secured the entire town.

With Al-Kashmah lost, the Islamic State terrorists now find themselves confined to a small portion of the Euphrates River Valley.

The Syrian Democratic Forces have already begun striking the Al-Shafah area in a bid to make a push to seize this rugged region from the Islamic State terrorists.

 

[angelburst29]

Personally, I don't feel Syria should give up any of it's integrity or land holdings, via a land swap, just to settle a domestic dispute, even if it means eliminating terrorist? Turkey, much like Israel (Golan Heights), are both engaged in Empire building and devouring land masses and vital resources surrounding them.

Maybe, Erdogan is using the excuse of getting rid of the Kurds, so he can expand the Turkish Border into Syria? Now, he's acting like a big bully, amassing a large Military presents at the Border and threatening to invade Manbij - just so he can get what he wants?

29 Dec, 2018 - ‘Land swap’ between Turkey & Syria – an option to avoid standoff over Manbij?
‘Land swap’ between Turkey & Syria – an option to avoid standoff over Manbij?

The Kurdish-held city of Manbij is a huge conundrum for Damascus, Ankara and Moscow as no one wants to lose lands, troops or allies. To stop a northern Syria standoff, it all could be sliced into areas of influence, analysts say.

<img src="https://img.rt.com/files/2018.12/xxs/5c2768e8fc7e93943b8b460c.JPG" class="media__item " alt="‘Land swap’ between Turkey & Syria – an option to avoid standoff over Manbij?" />
The road to Manbij remains open © Reuters / Khalil Ashawi

A high-ranking Turkish delegation arrived in Moscow on Saturday, only a day after international media broke news on Kurdish militias inviting Syrian forces to enter Manbij – a strategic hub in the north of the country – before the Turks do. Syria’s military proclaimed they “raised the flag” over Manbij, but there have been no independent reports confirming the moving of troops into the city.

In the meantime, Turkish-backed militants also went on the move – but they too stopped short of marching into Manbij. All the while Ankara has been threatening to crush the Kurdish resistance in the area where the Americans – who are in the process of pulling out – and the French have their outposts.

The Saturday Moscow meeting was key to preventing all actors of the Syrian war from locking horns over the Kurdish enclave, Middle East experts believe.

Published on Dec 29, 2018 (0:58 min.)

“Obviously, Turkey will insist that it is their forces that should enter Manbij, Russia, will of course insist the city should be handed over to Assad’s forces,” Kirill Semenov, an Islamic studies expert with Russia’s Institute for Innovative Development, told RT.

Manbij wasn’t the only issue discussed by Russian and Turkish strategists during the meeting, he noted, as it was essential for them to understand “what will happen to territories east of the Euphrates River.”

Realpolitik, of course, plays a role here as various locations across Syria might be used as a bargaining chip by all parties to the conflict. Semenov suggested the Turks may agree on Syrian forces taking some parts of Idlib province in exchange for Damascus’ consent for a Turkish offensive towards Manbij or Kobane.

Syrian troops and Kurdish forces occasionally clashed during the civil war, and the overall relations between the Kurds and Damascus “have never been smooth.” On the other hand, it never reached levels of hostility between the Syrian government and the militants of the Western-backed Syrian opposition.

Meanwhile, tensions are mounting in northern Syria. Shortly after Damascus announced sending troops there, Turkish APCs crossed into Syria and US helicopters were filmed flying in Manbij area. Ankara has also amassed tanks on its southern border with Syria.

But Moscow is ready to throw its weight to resolve the Manbij standoff, said Marianna Belenkaya, a Middle East expert and commentator at Russia’s Kommersant daily. Russia had previously agreed that Turkey control a small area in the east of Idlib province, “but it’s yet to be seen if Russia would agree to a Turkish zone being extended to the entire north of Syria.”

Moscow and Ankara are to “define certain areas of influence and understand who will control what.” There are residual groupings of Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) fighters who are ready to exploit any no power vacuum in northern Syria, she explained.

Turkish ambitions to reinstate full control over the northern Syria may not be an option for Damascus, but “it is also important for Russia to not lose Turkey as an ally.”

“There’s a possibility that some kind of a land swap will be discussed,” Belenkaya offered. “What is happening around Manbij is similar to what Russia has suggested a year ago in Afrin,” she noted. At this time, Moscow was ready to guarantee that the Turks will not invade the Kurdish-populated canton if the Kurds agree to be under Damascus jurisdiction, but they rejected the offer.


December, 29, 2018 - Trump Sees No Way of Overcoming Iran, Russia Aid in Syria: Ex-US Diplomat
Trump Sees No Way of Overcoming Iran, Russia Aid in Syria: Ex-US Diplomat - World news - Tasnim News Agency

An American author and former diplomat highlighted reasons behind President Donald Trump’s recent decision to pull US troops out of Syria and said he “could see no way of overcoming Iranian and Russian aid” to the Damascus government.

“Naturally, President Trump could see no way of overcoming Iranian and Russian aid; that help obviously proved decisive,” Michael Springmann, the former head of the American visa bureau in Saudi Arabia, said in an interview with the Tasnim News Agency.

“Additionally, and this is pure speculation, Trump or someone close to him finally recognized that the US had illegally invaded Syria,” he said, adding, “Since Iran and Russia had been invited to help Bashar al-Assad fight his enemies, the idea likely coalesced that remaining in Syria in a losing war would be, in the long run, against American Interests elsewhere.”


J. Michael Springmann served in the US government as a diplomat with the State Department's Foreign Service, with postings in Germany, India, and Saudi Arabia. He left federal service and currently practices law in the Washington, DC, area. Springmann’s works and interviews have been published in numerous foreign policy publications, including Covert Action Quarterly, Unclassified, Global Outlook, the Public Record, OpEdNews, Global Research and Foreign Policy Journal.


The following is the full text of the interview:

Tasnim: As you know, US President Donald Trump has recently decided to withdraw all US troops from Syria. Given that Trump is a businessman and thinks only about profit, what are the reasons behind this decision? What do you think about the possibility of the total withdrawal? Would he keep US strongholds in Syria?

Springmann: Bob Corker (R-Tenn), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, commented that President Trump’s proposed unilateral withdrawal of American soldiers from Syria is pure politics.
I agree. It was not Trump the business man acting. Rather, it was Trump the politician. During his campaign for president, he promised to end the Forever War in the Middle East. And now he’s apparently moving towards fulfilling his promise. Additionally, it may have percolated through to Trump that the US has been overextended in the region for years. Moreover, Trump, like Obama before him, is shifting resources to counter imaginary threats from Russia and China.

As yet, there is no timetable for removing the stated 2,000 US soldiers from Syria. Nor is there confirmation that America will not continue to bomb that unhappy country or that the US will cease its support for the various extremist groups it has been backing over the years.

In my opinion, the US will likely keep some kind of presence in Syria. It and its “allies” already control about one-third of Syria, including much of its oil, gas, water, and fertile land.

Because of the US withdrawal, I believe the Israeli Apartheid Entity will continue to wage war in Syria, in the hope that it will finally destroy the country. Saudi Arabia may well become more deeply involved there as well. And, of course, Turkey will seek to press farther into Syria, both to seize land that had once been part of the Ottoman Empire and to continue its war against the Kurds, including those in Syria who have been fighting ISIS.

Tasnim: Trump’s withdrawal plan has been met with widespread opposition inside and outside the US. France's President Emmanuel Macron has said he deeply regrets the controversial decision. “An ally must be dependable,” said Macron, who reportedly called Trump to warn him against the plan. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and the US envoy to the global coalition fighting the Daesh (ISIS or ISIL) terrorist group, Brett McGurk, resigned in protest over Trump’s decision. In your opinion, why is Trump insisting on his decision?

Springmann: President Trump is sticking to his positions on Syria despite resignations of former Secretary of Defense James Mattis (General, USMC, retired) and Brett McGurk, Special Presidential Envoy to the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS.

As noted earlier, his reasons for doing so are likely fulfillment of his campaign promise to leave the Forever War in the region, end US overextension in the Middle East, and re-orient American forces to counter non-existent threats from Russia and China.

Moreover, according to CNN, Mattis was seen as creating problems with his tight control of matters. In my opinion, another factor was his military background. Unusual for a former Marine, the Defense Secretary seemed to want the failed war’s continuance.

Brett McGurk’s objection to the pullout was right in keeping with his former service in the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. Apparently, a Neocon, migrating to Trump, McGurk espoused the quintessential reason for remaining in an endless war created by the US and Israel. He is quoted as saying that as soon as America leaves, it will create a vacuum into which extremists will move. This is the same line that has been repeated down the years, in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere. “Although we wrecked the country, we must stay because, without the US presence, things will only get worse.”

Predictably, the old European colonial powers objected to the US retreat. France vowed to remain in Syria. Britain said it disagreed with US policy. The Germans commented they were surprised because the “threat” is still there.

Only Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, welcomed the move. He noted that ISIS had been defeated and there was no longer a reason to keep the illegitimate US invasion forces in Syria. However, he speculated on whether the Americans would really leave, adding that, despite 17 years of promises, US soldiers were still in Afghanistan.

Tasnim: Some analysts say that the US withdrawal would be a victory for Iran. What is your assessment of the Islamic Republic’s role in developments which led Trump to take such a decision?

Springmann: I would not necessarily say, as some analysts have, that the US withdrawal from Syria is a victory for Iran. Instead, I would remark that the expected drawdown of American forces is a distinct advantage for the Islamic Republic.
Here’s why. The Americans, if in fact they do leave, will no longer be in Syria to confront Iran. There will be fewer chances for a deliberate or mistaken attack on Islamic Republic advisers. There will be fewer opportunities to urge an attack on Iran proper, under the guise of protecting US forces from the possible effects of Iranian assistance to Syria.

Iran’s role in removing American soldiers from Syria has been to help irregular forces, allied with the government, in fighting the terrorists. In seeking to overthrow the legitimate government there, the US backed an incredible number of extremists, including the “White Helmets”. Iran’s advice and counsel proved invaluable in helping groups like Hezbollah deal with the better-armed groups and cooperate with the Syrian government’s army.

Naturally, President Trump could see no way of overcoming Iranian and Russian aid. That help obviously proved decisive. Additionally, and this is pure speculation, Trump or someone close to him finally recognized that the US had illegally invaded Syria. Since Iran and Russia had been invited to help Bashar al-Assad fight his enemies, the idea likely coalesced that remaining in Syria in a losing war
would be, in the long run, against American Interests elsewhere.

Let’s hope that this withdrawal is not the end of the beginning, but the beginning of the end of a cruel, needless war.


December 30, 2018 - Putin to Assad: Russia Will Continue Aiding Syria in Fight against Terrorism
Putin to Assad: Russia Will Continue Aiding Syria in Fight against Terrorism


Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a message to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the occasion of the New Year, the Kremlin press service informed.

The Russian leader stressed that “Russia will continue to express full support of the Syrian government and people in the fight against terrorist forces, in the protection of state sovereignty and territorial unity.”

Putin also wished the Syrian citizens the soonest return to peaceful and prosperous life.


2018-12-30 - Civilians welcome Syrian Army to enter Manbij (video)
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/civilians-welcome-syrian-army-to-enter-manbij-video/

In a new interview by the Rudaw News Agency, a resident in Manbij told the reporter that they welcome the entrance of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) inside the city.

Furthermore, the resident told the reporter that they prefer the Syrian Arab Army over the opposition forces because the latter are ‘thieves’.

The resident of Manbij told the reporter that they don’t trust Erdogan because he is not coming to bring peace to Syria, but more violence.

Published on Dec 29, 2018 (1:11 min.)

The Free Syrian Army (FSA) previously controlled Manbij during their early Aleppo campaign; however, they would later lose the city to the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh).

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) would capture Manbij from the Islamic State in 2016; they have maintained control over the city since then.


2018-12-30 - Syrian Army takes over Tishreen Dam east of Manbij to block Turkish troops
https://www.almasdarnews.com/articl...n-dam-east-of-manbij-to-block-turkish-troops/

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has reportedly taken over the Tishreen Dam that links the Aleppo and Al-Raqqa provinces, a military source in the province told Al-Masdar News this evening.



According to the military source, the Syrian Arab Army was given control of the Tishreen Dam by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who ran the site with the government prior to its transfer on Sunday.

With the transfer of the Tishreen Dam on Sunday, the Syrian Arab Army are now positioned east of Manbij, thus blocking the Turkish military’s potential crossing from the Aleppo province to nearby Al-Raqqa.

This is an important move by the Syrian Arab Army because if the Turkish military controlled the Tishreen Dam, it would spell disaster for the people of Aleppo and Al-Raqqa.

The Tishreen Dam is located at the northern bank of the Euphrates River; it was previously occupied by the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) before the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched their important offensive in eastern Aleppo and western Al-Raqqa.


Sun Dec 30, 2018 - Kurdish Militia Hands over Strategic Dam in Northern Syria to Damascus Forces
Farsnews

The predominately-Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) surrendered control of the strategic Tishrin Dam in Northern Syria to the Damascus troops a day after it retreated from the key town of Manbij to be replaced by the Syrian army.

The Arabic-language website of Sputnik reported that the army took control of the Tishrin Dam in Eastern Aleppo on Saturday afternoon after the SDF forces withdrew from the region.

It further pointed to the deployment of army men at the dam and its nearby regions, and said the Damascus forces came in control over Tishrin as part of the Manbij agreement with the SDF.

The dam is 33 km South of the town of Mabij, 115 km East of Aleppo city and 80 km away from the border with Turkey.

The Dam, which was seized by the terrorists in 2015, is the main source of power generation in Aleppo province.

The Syrian Armed Forces' Headquarters announced in a statement on Friday that the Damascus forces entered Manbij in Aleppo province and hoisted the country's national flag over the key town.

The statement by the Syrian Armed Forces' Headquarters came after the Syrian Democratic Forces asked for the deployment of the government troops.

The Syrian Army entered Manbij town after the People's Protection Units asked the Syrian Armed Forces to enter the strategic town.

SDF Spokesman Ceyhan Ahmad also confirmed the Syrian Army's arrival in Manbij town.

The local sources in Northern Syria announced that the Ankara-backed militants are fortifying their positions around Manbij in a bid to attack the strategic town concurrent with US troops' withdrawal from there.


Sun Dec 30, 2018 - Arab States Rushing to Resume Ties with Damascus
Farsnews

Jordanian and UAE officials have launched hectic diplomatic efforts to resume relations with Syria alongside other Arab countries.

The Arabic-language website of Sputnik quoted Chairman of the Jordanian parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee Nazal al-Atani as saying that the country's legislature will have a meeting with the foreign minister in the next few days to ask for the enhancement of diplomatic relations with Syria.

He added that many Jordanian MPs have called for the normalization of relations with Damascus.

Meantime, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, the director general of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, said that he has sent a special committee to Syria to prepare a report on the situation of the Damascus international airport.

He told the Arabic-language al-Bayan newspaper that the UAE plans to resume flights to Damascus after receiving the report.

Many Arab states have voiced willingness to resume ties with Syria.

Bahrain announced earlier this week that it would resume operations at its embassy in Syria amid new efforts by Persian Gulf states to improve relations with Damascus as the war against foreign-backed Takfiri terrorists winds down.

According to a government source in Damascus, Kuwait would also reopen its embassy in Syria in the next 10-14 days.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) officially reopened its embassy in Damascus on Thursday.

The UAE closed its embassy soon after the Syrian conflict erupted in 2011, and Abu Dhabi was long considered a sponsor of the many militant groups that poured into the Arab country from across the region and beyond to fight to bring down the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Nearly seven years later, and with government forces having regained control of the majority of Syria, the UAE flag was raised again at the building in the Abu Rummaneh district of Central Damascus during a ceremony on Thursday attended by diplomats and journalists.

Many of these states have been supporting militant and extremist groups against the Syrian government. Jordan, for instance, hosted the major operation room that coordinated militant groups mostly in Southern Syria for years.

I suspect, when US troops finally leave the strategic Tanf garrison on the Iraq-Jordan Border - they will be transported to this military airport in Iraq's Kurdistan Region?

Sat Dec 22, 2018 - US Army Sets up Military Airport in Iraq's Kurdistan Region
Farsnews

Sun Dec 30, 2018 - US Army Deploys 5,000 Troops in Ein Al-Assad Base in Western Iraq
Farsnews

 

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Graham: ‘I Feel Pretty Good’ About Syria After Lunch with Trump (video 10:23 min)

Senator Lindsey Graham told reporters on Sunday that US President Donald Trump is "reconsidering" the planned pullout of troops from Syria after the two met for a two-hour lunch.

Graham addressed reporters, telling them that he is feeling "pretty good about where we're headed" in Syria after Trump had announced his decision to withdraw troops, a move which led to the resignation of Defense Secretary James Mattis.

"[Trump] promised to destroy ISIS. He's going to keep that promise," Graham said. "We're not there yet. But as I said today, we're inside the 10-yard line and the president understands the need to finish the job."

Earlier on Sunday, Graham called on Trump to rethink his decision to remove US troops from Syria in an interview broadcast on CNN's "State of the Union."

“If we leave now, the Kurds are going to get slaughtered,” Graham told host Dana Bash, adding that Trump had discussed the matter with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford.

“We're not the policemen of the world here. We're fighting a war against ISIS. They're still not defeated in Syria. I'm asking the president to make sure that we have troops there to protect us. Don't outsource our national security to some foreign power. If we leave now, the Kurds are going to get into a fight with Turkey, they could get slaughtered,” Graham added.

The senator also rejected President Barack Obama's justification for pulling troops out of Iraq in 2011 — a move widely credited with allowing the rapid rise of the terrorist activity in the Middle East — as a "bunch of bullsh--, pardon my French."

“Everything we're dealing with today falls on Obama's watch," Graham added. "He's the one that withdrew from Iraq.”

Graham later tweeted that he had gained reassurances from the US President that any withdrawal from Syria will ensure that Daesh forces are permanently destroyed, “Iran doesn’t fill in the back end” and that the US’s Kurdish allies are protected.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1079514943152631808

Washington announced on 19 December the withdrawal of its troops from Syria within 60 to 100 days. US President Donald Trump justified the pullout by stating that the American troops had achieved their goal of defeating Daesh* in the Arab country.

The decision was not welcomed by some US officials and was followed by two resignations — US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis, who announced that his views were no longer aligned with Trump's, and Brett McGurk, special presidential envoy for the US coalition in Syria.

after 5:05

*Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist organisation banned in Russia and many other countries


Trump slowing down troop pullout from Syria: US senator

President Donald Trump has ordered a slowdown to the withdrawal of U.S. forces in Syria, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham has said.

"I think we’re in a pause situation," the South Carolina Republican said outside the White House after lunch with the president.

Trump announced earlier this month that he was ordering the withdrawal of all the roughly 2,000 troops from war-torn Syria, with aides expecting it to take place swiftly. The president had declared victory over ISIL in Syria, though pockets of fighting remain.

Graham had been an outspoken critic of Trump’s decision, which had drawn bipartisan criticism. "I think we’re slowing things down in a smart way," Graham said.

National security adviser John Bolton was expected to travel to Israel and Turkey next weekend to discuss the president’s plans with the American allies.

During his appearance on CNN’s "State of the Union," Graham previewed his arguments to Trump for reconsidering the Syria pullout.

"I’m going to ask him to sit down with his generals and reconsider how to do this. Slow this down. Make sure that we get it right. Make sure ISIS never comes back. Don’t turn Syria over to the Iranians. That’s a nightmare for Israel," Graham said, according to the Associated Press.

Meanwhile, AFP reported Dec. 30 that the US flag fluttered above four US armoured vehicles driving through drizzle in the Syrian city of Manbij Dec. 30, each visibly carrying an armed soldier on lookout duty.

"The Americans’ presence is reassuring for people, as the situation has become tense since we heard about their decision to withdraw," said Mohammed Ahmad, a 28-year-old shop owner in Manbij.

Turkey, which views the YPG as a terrorist group, had been threatening a military operation against Manbij. Turkey and its allied fighters have been amassing troops around Manbij in recent days.

Syria’s military announced Dec. 28 it has taken control of Manbij after the YPG invited the regime ahead of Turkey's offensive but Turkish and US officials denied reports that Syria's Bashar al-Assad regime forces entered the city.


TURKEY ORDERS FSA TO WITHDRAW FROM FRONTLINES WITH MANBIJ

Turkey has ordered Free Syrian Army (FSA) groups deployed on the frontlines around the northern city of Manbij to withdraw and end the state of emergency, the Syrian Step News Agency reported on at the late hours of December 30.

According to the pro-opposition news agency, Ankara backed-off from its plans to attack the strategic city, which is held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as a result of the high-level Russia-Turkish meeting that was held in Moscow two days ago.

Earlier this week, the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) announced its withdrawal from Manbij and called on the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) to protect the city from Turkey’s threats. The army responded within few hours and deployed a large force in the outskirt of the strategic city.

However, U.S. and French forces didn’t withdraw from the city. Later, a local official said that the SAA was deployed only on the front lines with Turkish-backed forces and said that the city is still under the control the local Manbij Military Council (MMC).

Local observers believe that the presence of U.S. force, French forces, Syrian military forces and even Russia forces around Manbij may have deterred Ankara and forced it to cancel its plan to attack the city.


Kurdish YPG Militia to Disarm After Peace Returns to Syria – Spokesman

The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) will lay down their arms only after peace returns to Syria, the militia’s spokesman Nuri Mahmud said.

Mahmud argued that the weapons supplied by the United States were used to combat terrorists, according to a Jordanian news channel, Al-Hadath.

The YPG said it had handed over the northern city of Manbij to the Syrian army to focus on the fight against the Daesh* terror group east of the Euphrates River.

The surprise withdrawal of 2,000 US troops from Syria was announced after Trump said that the objective to defeat the Daesh terror group had been achieved.

*Daesh (ISIL/ISIS/Islamic State/IS), a terrorist group banned in Russia and a wide number of other countries.


US military admits killing more civilians in Syria, Iraq


US soldiers gather at a military base north of Mosul, Iraq, on January 4, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)

The US military has issued a report, admitting killing additional civilians since it started its military campaign in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

The report released on Sunday shows that over 1,100 civilians were inadvertently killed in airstrikes over the last four years, marking an increase of 15 people since November.

War monitoring groups, however, estimate that the raids have killed thousands of civilians.

“The Coalition conducted a total of 31,406 strikes between August 2014 and end of November 2018. During this period, based on information available, CJTF-OIR assesses at least 1,139 civilians have been unintentionally killed by Coalition strikes since the start of Operation Inherent Resolve,” said the report.

The report comes as the US has reportedly evacuated a military base in Syria, the first step towards delivering on President Donald Trump’s recent pledge to pull American forces out of the war-torn Arab country.

Some 50 American soldiers had already left the base and traveled to a base in Iraq, along with their armored vehicles and other equipment, according to local residents of al-Malikiya, in the northeastern province of Hasakeh.

The US and its allies have been bombarding what they call Daesh positions inside Syria since September 2014 without any authorization from the Damascus government or a UN mandate.

The strikes have on many occasions resulted in civilian casualties and failed to fulfill their declared aim of countering terrorism.

In Iraq, the US and a coalition of its allies launched a military campaign against purported Daesh targets in the country in 2014, but their operations have in many instances led to civilian deaths and generally spared the terrorists.


RUSSIAN FIGHTER JETS REPORTEDLY INTERCEPTED ISRAELI SPY PLANE NEAR LEBANON


The Eitam and Shavit of 122 Squadron during Israel’s 68th Independence Day flypast. By: Oren Rozen. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license

Russian warplanes took off from Hmeimim airbase in western Syria and intercepted an Israeli spy plane, which was escorted by several fighter jets, off the coast of Lebanon in the morning of December 30, according to Syrian pro-government activists.

Observers confirmed that a Gulfstream G550 Nahshon-Shavit signal intelligence (SIGINT) plane of the Israeli Air force (IAF) was carrying out a reconnaissance mission over the international waters off the shores of Syria and Lebanon at the morning. Furthermore, a local source in the Syrian city of Tartus told SouthFront that Russian warplanes were seen heading towards Lebanese coast.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1079302921781764098

Israel and Russia have not confirmed the encounter so far. Some experts also doubted that Russian warplanes were on their way to intercept the Israeli SIGINT plane.

This was not the first time when news about Russia intercepted Israeli warplane near Lebanon appeared online. Last May, several reports said that a Russian Su-34 warplane intercepted Israeli F-16s over northern Lebanon. Back then, local activists released a video showing the Su-30 over the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli.

The Ministry of Defense of Russia threatened to jam any unfriendly aerial object that would approach Syrian coast following the downing of the Russian Il-20 intelligence plane in September. However, it remains unknown if the Russian Aerospace Forces intercept Israeli military planes near the coast.

 

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Russian Air Force rains overnight airstrikes on rural Idlib



The Russian Air Force carried out a series of airstrikes over the Idlib Governorate last night, marking the first time in several weeks that they have targeted this province in northwestern Syria.

Led by an air squadron from the Hmeimim Airport in Latakia, the Russian jets repeatedly struck the jihadist positions last night in the Jisr Al-Shughour District of Idlib.

According to a military source in the Latakia Governorate, the Russian Air Force specifically targeted the positions of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham and the Turkestan Islamic Party west of Jisr Al-Shughour city.

These airstrikes over the Idlib Governorate were mostly carried out by the Russian Air Force, with some participation from the Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF), the source added.

The reason for the airstrikes is still unknown at this time because neither the Syrian nor Russian forces have commented on the attack.

Despite the absence of a statement, the Russian Air Force typically carries out airstrikes over this region when they have information about a major movement from the jihadist rebels.


IRAQI AIR FORCE BOMBS MEETING OF ISIS COMMANDERS IN SYRIA’S EUPHRATES VALLEY. 30 TERRORISTS REPORTEDLY KILLED

Iraqi warplanes have targeted a meeting of ISIS commanders in Syria’s Euphrates Valley, the Iraqi Air Force stated on December 31.

According to the released statement, the airstrikes hit the event in the meeting near al-Safa inside the ISIS-held pocket besieged by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and killed some 30 ISIS members.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1079717539440140293

PHOTOS of Syrian Gov't Troops Deployed Along Manbij Border Released


Syrian Armed Forces Deployed Along Manbij Border, Aleppo Province, 30 December, 2018 / © Sputnik /

The city of Manbij in the northern province of Aleppo has switched hands three times since the civil war began in 2011. With US troops leaving and Turkey concentrating forces at the border, the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which controls the area now, has invited Syrian government forces to the city.

Syrian troops have been stationed along the western border of the region of Manbij in Aleppo province, a Sputnik correspondent has reported.


Syrian Armed Forces Deployed Along Manbij Border, Aleppo Province, 30 December, 2018 / © SPUTNIK /

Syrian flags have been raised over buildings in the area close to the district's northern border, with the army boosting its presence there.


Syrian Armed Forces Deployed Along Manbij Border, Aleppo Province, 30 December, 2018 / © SPUTNIK /

According to Sputnik’s reporter, citing a source on the ground, they are there to prevent an advance of Turkish-aligned Euphrates Shield forces on the city of Manbij.


Syrian Armed Forces Deployed Along Manbij Border, Aleppo Province, 30 December, 2018 / © SPUTNIK /

It has been controlled by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), spearheaded by the Kurdish People's Protection Units' YPG, since Daesh* was cornered there in 2016.


Syrian Armed Forces Deployed Along Manbij Border, Aleppo Province, 30 December, 2018 / © SPUTNIK /

Amid the withdrawal of US troops from positions near their Kurdish allies in Syria, and Turkish plans to launch an operation there against the Kurdish militias, whom Ankara regards as terrorists, the Syrian army has received an appeal from the YPG to enter the territory and assume control over the city.


Syrian Armed Forces Deployed Along Manbij Border, Aleppo Province, 30 December, 2018 / © SPUTNIK /

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Ankara was ready to launch a new offensive against the Kurdish militia in the northern Syrian region earlier in December; however, he later said that the operation had been postponed following a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump.

Nevertheless, the Anadolu news agency reported on 29 December that Turkish howitzers, tanks and other heavy military vehicles had arrived in the country's south-eastern province of Sanliurfa, bordering northern Syria.

*Daesh (IS/ISIS/ISIl/Islamic State) and Taliban — terrorist groups banned in Russia


WATCH Turkish Military Equipment Reportedly on Its Way to Syrian Border

Earlier, several media reports also suggested that Turkey has been amassing tanks, howitzers and other equipment on the border with Syria. The redeployment comes ahead of a military operation announced by Ankara East of the Euphrates River in Syria against Daesh* and Kurdish forces there.

Russian media has published footage of a Turkish military convoy reportedly moving through southern Urfa province towards the nearby border with Syria. The video shows several trucks, carrying battle tanks, and what looks like a drone or a small plane flying in the skies above.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1079423116768567297

Last week, several Turkish news agencies reported that Turkish military convoys were moving towards the Syrian border. These reports come in the wake of Ankara announcing a new military operation in Syria that will target the remnants of Daesh* and Kurdish forces East of the Euphrates. The Turkish operation was later postponed due to the US stating that it would be withdrawing its troops from Syria in the coming months.

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on 20 December that the army was "intensely" preparing for the operation and vowed to "bury" Kurds in the trenches and tunnels. Ankara believes that Syrian Kurds are tied to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is considered a terrorist organisation in Turkey.

*Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist organization banned in Russia


MAP UPDATE: FRENCH MILITARY PRESENCE IN NORTHERN SYRIA



Turkey’s Anadolu Agency released a map showing alleged locations of French miltiary facilities in northern Syria. After the announcement of the US decision to withdraw troops from the war-torn country, France stressed that it is not going to withdraw its own troops. So, Ankara sees the French military presence in the area as one of the obstacles en route to undrmining influence of Kurdish armed groups in this part of Syria.

MORE ABOUT FRESH TENDENSIES IN THE ALLEGED WITHDRAWAL OF US TROOPS

 

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Trump Defends 'Slow' Withdrawal of US Troops From Syria

The White House announced the pull out of its troops from the Arab Republic on 19 December. The US president noted later that the goal of American troops to eliminate Daesh* had been "mostly" achieved and thus the soldiers can now return home.

US President Donald Trump has taken to his favourite medium, Twitter to defend his decision to withdraw American troops from Syria, slamming critics for allegedly being hypocritical. Trump noted that any other US president would have been applauded for such a decision.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1079724622868819973

Trump argued that he had always campaigned against "never ending wars", but at the same time achieved much in defeating the Daesh* in Syria, claiming that US troops will be returning home "with victory".

https://twitter.com/x/status/1079728684427341825

https://twitter.com/x/status/1079748730058870789

Washington announced on 19 December that it will be withdrawing its troops from Syria within the next 60 to 100 days. US President Donald Trump justified the move by stating that the American forces had achieved their goal of defeating Daesh* in the Arab state and can now return home.

At the same time, Trump's close ally in the Congress, Lindsey Graham, told reporters on 31 December that he had discussed the withdrawal with Trump over lunch and convinced him to reconsider the decision.

"[Trump] promised to destroy ISIS. He's going to keep that promise. We're not there yet. But as I said today, we're inside the 10-yard line and the president understands the need to finish the job", he said.

The decision to pull out the country's forces was not welcomed by some US officials and was followed by two resignations — US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis, who announced that his views were no longer aligned with Trump's, and Brett McGurk, special presidential envoy for the US coalition in Syria.

*Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist organisation banned in Russia


Trump Gives US Troops Four Months to Leave Syria Amid Criticism – Report

Earlier, Trump went to Twitter to defend his decision to withdraw American troops from Syria, accusing his critics of hypocrisy. He noted that any other US president would have been applauded for such a decision.

The New York Times has cited two unnamed US administration officials as saying that President Donald Trump will give the Pentagon about four months to withdraw American troops from Syria.

The officials referred to the US President's meeting with Lt. Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, head of the Combined Joint Task Force fighting Daesh* in the region, during which Trump said that the troops could have several months to ensure a "succinct departure".

Pentagon spokesman Sean Robertson, in turn, was quoted by the New York Times as saying that "I'll let the president's words speak for themselves."

The developments come a day after Trump tweeted that his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria was right and that US military will be returning home "with victory" over Daesh.

"If anybody but Donald Trump did what I did in Syria, which was an ISIS loaded mess when I became President, they would be a national hero," he tweeted.

The remarks came after the White House announced on December 19 that that it will be withdrawing US troops from Syria within the next 60 to 100 days.

President Donald Trump justified the move by stating that the American forces had achieved their goal of defeating Daesh in the Arab country and can now return home.

The decision was criticized by some US officials and followed by two resignations — US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis, who announced that his views were no longer aligned with Trump's, and Brett McGurk, special presidential envoy for the US coalition in Syria.


Truce Breaches Recorded in 20 Areas of Idlib, Syria - Russian MoD

Over the past 24 hours, members of illegal armed groups violated ceasefire regime in 20 areas in Syria's Idlib de-escalation zone, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday.

"Over the past day, terrorists mortared Darhabu-Asad (six times), Akch-Bayer (four times), Nahshabba (three times), Safsafa (two times), Sandran, Basharfa, Barisha and Beyt-Ziwan in Latakia province, Abu-Dali (six times), Tell Maraq (three times), Zalaqiyat (three times), Masasna, Tell Bizam, Braididzh and Mgayr in Hama province, and districts of Sukkari (three times), Zahabiya, al-Hafiya, Shukaydila, and western (two times) and northwestern (three times) outskirts of Aleppo," the ministry's center for Syrian reconciliation said in a daily bulletin.

More than 10 militant groups are reportedly operating in Idlib, the last major insurgency stronghold in Syria, including the National Front for the Liberation of Syria and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization.

Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the government forces fighting against numerous opposition groups and terrorist organizations. Russia along with Turkey and Iran are guarantors of the ceasefire regime in Syria.

 

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Netanyahu asks Trump to slow down withdrawal of US troops from Syria

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked US President Donald Trump during a recent phone call to only slowly withdraw US service members from Syria over an extended period of time.

The Israeli Prime Minister allegedly asked during a December 20 phone conversation between the two world leaders, an unidentified Israeli official told reporters traveling with Netanyahu to Brazil on Monday.

Netanyahu was heading to the South American country for the inauguration of Brazilian President-elect Jair Bolsonaro.

“The prime minister thinks that the US withdrawal from Syria presents an opportunity,” Ynet News reported the official saying. “So far, the Iranian presence on the ground [in Syria] has not changed since the American decision.”

According to Axios, the Israeli official later noted that Israel would keep striking within Syrian territory. “We are going to continue the airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria regardless of the US policy. We have shown this already, and it is a message to the Iranians that we are not going to back down,” the source reportedly said.

The unidentified individual also reportedly told journalists that Bolsonaro is interested in purchasing attack drones from Israel and that the two leaders are making headway in talks to allow direct flights between Israel and Brazil over Africa, Bloomberg reported.

Netanyahu is expected to speak with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday regarding US withdrawal from war-torn Syria, before engaging in a similar discussion with US National Security Adviser John Bolton on Sunday and Monday.

Trump announced earlier this month that US troops would be withdrawn from Syria, a move that was quickly met with criticism from US lawmakers, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who referred to the move as an “Obama-like mistake.”

Since his initial announcement, POTUS has stayed firm to his vows, taking to Twitter on Monday to inform his millions of followers that the removal of US soldiers from Syria fulfilled his campaign promises.

In his six-part Twitter message, 45 went on to defend his decision, stressing that the transition would be carried out “slowly… while at the same time fighting ISIS [Daesh] remnants.”

Source: Sputnik


Israel Wants to Intensify Intel, Ops Cooperation With US in Syria - Netanyahu


© AP Photo / THOMAS COEX

Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington would be pulling its estimated 2,000 US troops out of Syria, and gave the Pentagon four months to complete the withdrawal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would discuss ways to intensify intelligence and operations cooperation between the US and Israel in Syria and elsewhere to block what he called "Iranian aggression" in the region, Reuters has reported.

"We have a lot to discuss. We're going to be discussing our, the intense cooperation between Israel and the United States, which will also deal with the questions following the decision, the American decision, on Syria," Netanyahu said. The talks, the prime minister said, would look at "how to intensify even further our intelligence and operational cooperation in Syria and elsewhere to block Iranian aggression in the Middle East."

Netanyahu made the comments ahead of a meeting with Pompeo in Brasilia on Tuesday, where both men arrived to attend the inauguration ceremony of recently elected Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Earlier, an Israeli official told Israeli media that Netanyahu would ask Pompeo to slow the withdrawal of US troops from Syria.

Ahead of Tuesday's meeting, Pompeo assured Netanyahu that President Trump's decision on Syria "in no way changes anything that this administration is working on alongside Israel."

"The counter-ISIS* campaign continues, our efforts to counter Iranian aggression continues, and our commitment to Middle East stability and protection of Israel continues in the same way before that decision was made," Pompeo said.

Earlier, Israeli military intelligence chief Tamir Hyman charged Iran with working to increase its clout in Iraq and Syria as a "platform for a force build-up that could also threaten the state of Israel."

*aka Daesh, a terrorist group outlawed in Russia and many other countries.


New IDF chief wanted to assassinate Syrian President

The new Chief of Staff for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Major General Aviv Kochavi, wanted to assassinate Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, the Saudi-based Elaph newspaper claimed, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

Citing an unnamed senior Israeli official, the Saudi publication alleged that while serving as Director of Military Intelligence, Kochavi was pushing to remove Assad from power in a move to weaken Hezbollah.

Kochavi even suggested assassinating Assad if he did not leave the presidency, the report continued.

The former intel director believed removing Assad “would bring calamities to Israel from Iran, Hezbollah, the militias and Russian influence in the region.”

However, Kochavi’s suggestion to assassinate Assad was ultimately shot down, as the Israeli intelligence took a different route to combat Hezbollah’s role in Syria.


Israeli spy planes spotted all over Syria’s Al-Quneitra border



Several Israeli spy planes were spotted along the occupied Golan Heights-Quneitra border this afternoon, a military source in the area told Al-Masdar News.

According to the source, Israeli reconnaissance drones flew towards the Syrian province from the Jabal Al-Sheikh (Mount Hermon) region of Lebanon.

Once they reached the Syrian border, the Israeli reconnaissance drones began to circle the area before returning to southern Lebanon, where they conducted similar flights.

The Israeli Air Force has recently intensified their presence along the Syrian border since they launched several airstrikes in western Damascus on Christmas.

In addition to their flights along the Syrian border, the Israeli Air Force has conducted several observation flights along the southern Lebanese border.

These overflights from the Upper Galilee region often focus on the Nabatieh Governorate of Lebanon, which is believed to have the largest presence of Hezbollah fighters in the country.


Turkish Defense Minister visits Syria, vows to fight ISIS



Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar visited the tomb of Suleiman Shah in the northern Syria village of Asmeh, the Daily Sabah reported on Tuesday.

According to the Daily Sabah report, the Turkish Defense Minister held a conference call with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about this part of Syria being Turkey’s “sovereign territory.”

Furthermore, the Turkish Defense Minister said that his nation’s army has taken over the U.S. Coalition’s role in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh).

“Turkey’s fight against Daesh continues,” Akar stated.

The Daily Sabah said that Akar was accompanied by General Staff Yaşar Güler, and a number of other commanders including Commander of Turkish Land Forces Ümit Dündar, Naval Forces Commander Adnan Özbal and commander of the Turkish Air Force Hasan Küçükakyüz.


US Army Continues Sending Military Hardware to Eastern Syria After Pullout Call


The US Army forwarded a new convoy of military equipment to regions that are under the control of the Washington-backed forces in Hasaka province on Tuesday after controversial statements by the White House about a pullout from Syria.

The US army dispatched a new convoy, including several trucks loaded with military and logistic equipment, to al-Shadadi base in Southern Hasaka via Simalka border-crossing at Iraq-Syria border.

In the meantime, a field source disclosed that a sum of 20 US military trucks entered Ein Issa base in Northern Raqqa on Sunday, adding that the trucks were handed over to the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The US is trying to continue providing the SDF with arms and ammunition after the country's decision to pull forces out of the war-hit country.


HTS seizes several areas in west Aleppo as jihadist civil war intensifies

The jihadist rebels of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham launched a powerful assault against their former allies from Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki this morning, seizing several areas inside the western countryside of the Aleppo Governorate.

Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham began their assault this morning by storming several sites near the key town of Dart Izza, which is located at the western outskirts of Aleppo city.

According to local observers, Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham managed to capture at least two towns and several points after overrunning Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki’s positions east of Dart Izza.

The observers claimed that Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham seized the towns of Al-Habatah and Al-Sadiyah, along with several points near Dart Izza.

Some reports now claim that Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham has entered Dart Izza; however, these claims remain unverified.


Jihadists civil war results in huge losses for all parties in west Aleppo

The jihadist civil war taking place in western Aleppo is proving incredibly costly for the warring parties.

According to local observers, Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham and Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki have been clashing for several hours, today, resulting in the death of over 30 jihadist fighters.

These heavy casualties have come at the cost of Harakat Nourddeen Al-Zinki’s territorial losses near the key town of Dart Izza.

Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham has been able to capture at least two towns and several points from Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki after a series of intense clashes on Tuesday.

The jihadist civil war broke out this morning after members of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham launched a big attack against their former allies from Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki.

Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham launched the attack to avenge the loss of five of their fighters in the western countryside of Aleppo this past weekend.

The jihadist group accused Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki of carrying out this attack against their fighters.

 

[angelburst29]

1 Jan, 2019 - US marine shot dead inside barracks in Washington, DC
US marine shot dead inside barracks in Washington, DC

FILE PHOTO: Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. © Global Look Press / Andrew Harrer

A US marine has been shot while on duty inside a barracks in Washington, DC, and later succumbed to his wound in hospital. The Marine Corps said the injury was not self-inflicted, as police are looking into the incident.

Few details are known about the shooting incident that took place within the grounds of the historic Washington, DC Marine Barracks, located a short walk from the Capitol Hill. In a statement on Tuesday, the Marine Corps command said that a Marine had died from a gunshot wound while on duty at about 5:00 am.

Police were called to the scene and have launched an investigation. The scene was cordoned off.

Neither the name of the victim, nor the identity or identities of the potential perpetrators have been released.

The Marine Corps said that the incident never posed any threat to civilians as it was confined to the barracks.

The type of weapon used in the shooting has not been identified, either.

Marine Gunnery Sgt. John Jackson said, as cited by CNN, that the Marine had not taken his own life, as the lethal injury was not self-inflicted.

Fox News reported that the serviceman did not die on the spot and was taken to hospital, but later succumbed to his wound.

No arrests have been made so far.

The post where the fallen Marine was stationed is the oldest active one in the Corps.


1 Jan, 2019 - Pompeo says cooperation with Israel over Syria and Iran to continue
Pompeo says cooperation with Israel over Syria and Iran to continue

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a photo opportunity with Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide at the State Department in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018. (AP)

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday that the United States would continue to cooperate with Israel over Syria and in countering Iran in the Middle East, even as President Donald Trump plans to withdraw US troops from Syria.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said as he met with Pompeo in the Brazilian capital that he planned to discuss how to intensify intelligence and operations cooperation in Syria and elsewhere to block Iranian “aggression.”

In his first public comments on Trump’s decision, Pompeo said it “in no way changes anything that this administration is working on alongside Israel.”

“The counter-Daesh campaign continues, our efforts to counter Iranian aggression continue and our commitment to Middle East stability and the protection of Israel continues in the same way it did before that decision was made,” he said.

Trump announced last month that he planned to withdraw US troops from Syria, declaring that they had succeeded in their mission to defeat Islamic State and were no longer needed in the country.

In making the announcement, Trump ignored the advice of top national security aides and did so without consulting lawmakers or US allies participating in anti-Daesh operations. The decision prompted Jim Mattis to resign as defense secretary.

“We have a lot to discuss,” said Netanyahu, who like Pompeo was in the Brazilian capital for the inauguration of Jair Bolsonaro as Brazil’s new president.

“We’re going to be discussing our, the intense cooperation between Israel and the United States which will also deal with the questions following the decision, the American decision, on Syria and how to intensify even further our intelligence and operational cooperation in Syria and elsewhere to block Iranian aggression in the Middle East.”

Netanyahu said Israel was very appreciative of the “strong ... unequivocal support” Pompeo gave Israel’s “efforts at self defense against Syria” in the past few days.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Macron Told Putin Coalition to Continue Fighting Terror in Syria - Elysee Palace


© AP Photo / French Army

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin that the fight against terrorism in Syria was not over yet and would be continued within the framework of the US-led coalition, according to the Elysee Palace.

"The president of the [French] Republic recalled that France's priority in Syria was the fight against terrorism in order to eradicate the Islamic State [Daesh* in Arabic] and counteract any resurgence of terrorism in the region. This fight is not over yet and continues on the ground within the framework of international coalition," the Elysee Palace said in a press release on Wednesday.

The statement comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron have discussed by phone settlement to the Syrian crisis. Two leaders also discussed the Ukrainian conflict and Ukrainian provocation carried out in the Kerch Strait.

On December 23, commenting on the US decision to withdraw troops from Syria, Macron said that France will retain its military presence in the Levant region.

Earlier in the month, the White House announced that the United States began the pullout of its forces from Syria, but stressed that it did not mean the end of the US-led international coalition's fight against the Daesh.

*Daesh (the Islamic State/IS) is a terrorist group outlawed in Russia and many other countries.


Russian Air Force Increases Flights over Terrorist-Held Regions in Northwestern Syria


Russian fighter jets and reconnaissance planes have increased their flights over terrorist-held regions in Idlib province as the Syrian Army dispatched more troops to the region for a major assault on the militants, local sources reported on Wednesday

Militant-affiliated sources reported that the warplanes have been intensely flying over terrorist-held regions in Idlib, adding that the Russian Sukhoi AM-24 have been engaged in spying flights to specify terrorist positions and bases in the region.

In the meantime, the Syrian Army dispatched a long convoy, including tens of forces and a large volume of military equipment to Northern Hama.

The army has forwarded a large number of forces and a large volume of military hardware to contact lines with the terrorists in the demilitarized zone in Northeastern Lattakia and Hama, preparing for a major operation to hunt down the militants.

Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at (the Levant Liberation Board or the Al-Nusra Front) and its allies have been pounding the army's positions in Lattakia, Hama and Idlib provinces in recent days.

Led by an air squadron from the Humeimim Airport in Lattakia, the Russian jets repeatedly struck the jihadist positions on Sunday night in the Jisr al-Shughour in Southwestern Idlib.

According to a military source in Lattakia, the Russian Air Force specifically targeted the positions of Tahrir Al-Sham Hay’at and the Turkestan Islamic Party West of the town of Jisr al-Shughour.

The airstrikes were mostly carried out by the Russian Air Force, with some participation from the Syrian Air Force, the source added.

The reason for the airstrikes was unknown at this time because neither the Syrian nor Russian forces commented on the attack.

Despite the absence of a statement, the Russian Air Force typically carries out airstrikes over the region when they have information about a major movement from the jihadist rebels.


Syrian Army Launches Artillery Attack on Terrorists in Hama, Idlib Provinces

The army's artillery and missile units pounded the positions and movements of Turkistani Islamic Party in the village of Qastoun in al-Ghaab Plain in Northwestern Hama, destroying several terrorist bases and arms depots and inflicted heavy casualties on the militants.

In the meantime, other artillery units pounded the movements of Jeish al-Izzah terrorists in Hasraya, al-Jisat, al-Arbaeen and Wadi al-Dorat, killing and wounding a number of terrorists.

Meanwhile, other artillery units, deployed in Southeastern Idlib, launched heavy shelling on Tahrir al-Sham's positions near the small town of Jarjanaz, inflicting major losses on them.

The terrorists' refusal to implement the Sochi Agreement to establish a demilitarized zone is pushing the army to initiate its long-waited assault on militants in Idlib that had been put on hold due to the Sochi Agreement.


Gov't Forces Preparing for Major Anti-ISIL Operation in Eastern Syria

The army dispatched the 4th Division and a part of Presidential Guard Forces to the Eastern desert of Syria from the small town of al-Dowayer up to the town of al-Hari near border with Iraq in Southeastern Deir Ezzur.

The army's growing military buildup in the Eastern desert of Deir Ezzur indicates that the government forces are preparing for a major operation to purge the entire region of the ISIL terrorists and put an end to any movement of the terrorists between Syria's Deir Ezzur desert and Iraq's Anbar.

The army's main objective is restoring sustainable security to the borders with Iraq.

On Monday, the army forwarded a large number of troops, including the 5th Division, more tanks and armored vehicles to the small towns of al-Sukariyah and Huweija al-Moshahedah near the town of Albu Kamal near the border with Syria.

In the meantime, tens of army men, a number of Russian forces, several cannons and heavy weapons arrived at Deir Ezzur military airport and were further sent to regions near the small town of al-Dowayer.

The army's military buildup in Eastern Deir Ezzur near the border with Iraq signifies Damascus' plan to kick off a major operation to hunt down the remaining pockets of the ISIL still operating in the desert-like region.


Aleppo: Syrian, Turkish Armies Going Head to Head for Confrontation


The Turkey-backed militants continued attacking Kurdish militia in Northeastern Aleppo on Wednesday as possibility rises for direct confrontation between the Syrian and Turkish armies

The Arabic-language website of the Kurdish news website, Hawar news, reported that the Ankara-backed militants attacked the positions of al-Bab Military Council in the villages of Albuhij and Bou Qaz near the town of al-Arimah East of the town al-Bab in Northeastern Aleppo regardless of the Syrian Army's presence in the region.

It further said that gunmen of al-Bab Military Council managed to repel the Ankara forces' attacks.

In the meantime, Manbij Military Council's media center reported that gunmen of the Turkey-led Euphrates Shield forces targeted the council's positions at Sajoiur line of separation near the town of Majbij in Northeastern Aleppo.

The center further said that the Ankara-backed militants launched heavy shelling on the small towns of Jokhar Kabir East on Manbij, al-Mohsenli West of Manbij and the villages of al-Baraziyah West of the town of al-Arimah and also al-Koridiyah region in Northeastern Aleppo.

Military expert said that the Ankara-backed militants' continued attacks on the Kurds regardless of the Syrian Arm's presence in the region have increased the possibility of direct confrontation between the Damascus forces and militants as well as the Turkish army that is backing the latter.

On Monday, The Syrian Army surrounded Manbij from three different flanks after the Turkish-backed rebels began mass mobilizing their gunmen North of the town.

According to a military source near Manbij, the Syrian Arab Army deployed their Republican Guard, 1st Armored Division, and 4th Armored Division at the Western, Southern and Eastern flanks of the town of Manbij, the AMN reported.

The Syrian army was able to reach the Eastern axis of Manbij after the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reportedly transferred control of the Tishrin Dam to the government troops.

With thousands of rebel troops situated at the Northern outskirts of the city, the Syrian Arab Army is taking precautionary measures to prevent a potential invasion of Eastern Aleppo and Western Raqqa.

Despite the recent talks between the Russian and Turkish governments regarding the situation in Syria, Ankara is still not convinced that the Kurdish-led People’s Protection Units (YPG) have withdrawn from Manbij.

As a result of this, the Turkish military and their allies have chosen to remain active at the Northern part of the town.


PHOTOS Allegedly Show Turkey Massing More Military Equipment on Syrian Border

Earlier, President Trump doubled down on his decision to pull the estimated 2,000 troops stationed in Syria out of the country, saying the move would fulfil his campaign promise to withdraw from the "never ending wars" the US has been engaged in.

Fresh photos have surfaced showing what appears to be the movement of Turkish military forces toward the border with Kurdish-majority-governed areas in northern Syria, possibly indicating preparations by Ankara to start a military operation against opposition forces.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1080373822291873793

"A convoy of military vehicles and howitzers recently brought to Hatay has been moved to Gaziantep."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1080143488669360129

"The delivery of military equipment to the Syrian border continue nonstop."

On Monday, a Sputnik correspondent reported on the deployment of Syrian Army forces along the western border of the region of Manbij in Aleppo province. According to a source on the ground, the troops were deployed to prevent the advance of Turkish-aligned Euphrates Shield forces on the city of Manbij.

Before the arrival of Syrian government forces, the city had been under the control of the US-supported Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG.) Both groups played a large role in the fight against Daesh (ISIS)*, but have long been designated terror organisations by Ankara.

The Kurds, who had been governing large swathes of northern and eastern Syria over the course of the conflict, reportedly invited the Syrian Army into Manbij amid reports of an imminent Turkish offensive in the area.

Last month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Ankara was ready to start a new offensive against the Kurdish forces in northern Syria. However, he later said the operation had been postponed after a telephone conversation with President Trump.

On Saturday, Turkish media reported the continuing concentration of tanks and artillery near the Syrian border in possible preparations for an assault into the Arab Republic's territory. A day later, Russian media released footage of a Turkish military convoy reportedly moving through the southern province of Urfa toward the nearby border with Syria.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1079423116768567297

Syria has been in a state of foreign-backed, multi-sided war since 2011, with government forces fighting a broad collection of armed militants, dominated by Islamist extremists. Syrian forces withdrew from majority-Kurdish areas in the early months of the war, leaving Kurdish militias in de-facto control. Despite rare clashes, Damascus and the Kurds have generally maintained cordial relations in the joint fight against Daesh, al-Qaeda (Nusra Front)* and other terrorists. Syrian authorities have hinted at providing Kurdish areas with some level of autonomy once the war ends.

Turkey, Russia and Iran serve as guarantors of the ceasefire regime in Syria, which is not applicable to terrorist groups.

* Terrorist groups outlawed in Russia and many other countries.


TURKISH-BACKED MILITANTS COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL FROM ALL FRONTLINES WITH MANBIJ

The Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) has withdrawn all of its forces from the frontlines with the northern city of Manbij, which is held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on January 2.

According to the UK-based monitoring group, FSA forces were redeployed to several “temporary bases” in the Euphrates Shield (ES) area in the northern Aleppo countryside. Most of these temporary bases are schools and public buildings.

“The situation on the frontline, between the Turkish forces and its proxies on one side and the Manbij Military Council (MMC) and the Revolution Army [both part of the SDF] on the other side, has returned to what it was before the announcement of the Turkish plans to launch an attack on Manbij,” the SOHR reported citing local sources.​

Last week, the Syrian Step News Agency reported that Turkey has ordered FSA groups to withdraw from the vicinity of Manbij. The news agency said that Ankara backed-off from its plans to attack the city as a result of the high-level Russia-Turkish meeting, which was held on December 30.

Moscow and Washington, which kept its forces in Manbij, have apparently managed to deter Ankara that was hoping to sweep into northeastern Syria after the upcoming withdrawal of U.S. forces.


400 Kurdish YPG Militants Leave Manbij Under Deal With Damascus (VIDEO)

Earlier, a Sputnik correspondent reported that Syrian Army units had deployed near Manbij in a bid to prevent a possible Turkish military operation in the Syrian Kurdish-controlled area.

About 400 Syrian Kurdish YPG militants left Manbij in 30 vehicles since January 1 after reaching an agreement with Damascus to withdraw from the area, the Syrian Defence Ministry has announced in a press statement.

According to the Defence Ministry, the militia units left Manbij for the east bank of the Euphrates River.

The Defence Ministry released a video showing the Kurdish forces' withdrawal on its Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=820063708335331

Earlier, the Syrian military announced that it had entered Manbij and raised the Syrian flag in the area in a deal with Kurdish forces.

The Syrian Kurdish forces appealed to the Syrian government to take control over areas they were evacuating, including Manbij, in a bid to stave off a possible Turkish invasion. Ankara, which considers the YPG to be a terrorist group, previously threatened to launch a new operation in Kurdish-controlled areas in northern Syria. In recent weeks, onlookers have spotted concentrations of Turkish military hardware in southern Turkey on the border with Syria. Last month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to launch a new offensive in the area, ostensibly targeting both the Kurds and Daesh*, but later announced that the operation had been postponed after a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump.

Syria plunged into a state of foreign-backed multi-sided war in 2011, with government forces fighting a broad collection of militants dominated by Islamist extremists. Syrian forces withdrew from majority-Kurdish areas in north and northeast Syria in the early months of the war, leaving Kurdish militias in de-facto control. Notwithstanding rare clashes, Damascus and the Kurds have generally maintained cordial relations in the common fight against the terrorists, with Damascus hinting at the provision of some level of autonomy to Kurdish areas once the war ends.

During the war against Daesh, Syria's Kurds have received military assistance from the US-backed coalition, with the US military illegally deploying 2,000 troops Syria. Last month, President Trump announced that the US would withdraw its troops from Syria now that Daesh has been defeated. Trump doubled down on his decision on Monday, saying he would move to fulfil his campaign promise of withdrawing the US from the "never ending wars" in the Middle East. The US president's decision prompted a series of high-profile resignations at the Pentagon and State Department, with Defence Secretary James Mattis announcing that he would step down from his post next month.

*aka ISIS, a terrorist group outlawed in Russia and many other countries.


Russian military delivers New Year gifts to Syrian children from low-income families

Russian military servicemen have delivered New Year gifts from the authorities of the Moscow Region to 200 children from low-income families in Syria’s Aleppo Governorate and the inhabited community of Muran, Pavel Matreninsky, a spokesman for the Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Sides, told reporters.

"We have brought New Year gifts from the Moscow Region for children in an inhabited community in Aleppo Governorate, including various sweets - gingerbread, candy, cookies and jams," he said. Adults received food packages and bread.

According to Matreninsky, another humanitarian operation was held in one of Aleppo’s schools where children were able to attend a concert and see a Father Frost and other fairy-tale characters.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

‘I never said fast or slow’: Trump has vague timeline for ‘sand and death’ Syria withdrawal (video)


President Donald Trump and acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan during a January 2, 2019 cabinet meeting © Reuters / Jim Young

President Donald Trump told reporters that his planned withdrawal of US troops from Syria would take place over an unspecified “period of time,” adding that previous reports of a withdrawal within four months were false.

The president announced the pullout from Syria on Christmas Eve, leaving Turkish forces to “eradicate whatever is left of ISIS” there. Following the announcement, the New York Times reported on Monday that Trump would give the military four months to extricate itself from Syria completely.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump denied giving the military a concrete timeline. “I never said fast or slow” he told reporters. “Somebody said four months, but I never said that either,” the president added.

Trump’s abrupt pullout – which was criticized by a raft of current and former officials from both parties – fueled speculation that Kurdish fighters in Syria would be left at the mercy of the Turkish military, with whom some of them have been fighting a low-intensity conflict for decades. Dozens of Turkish tanks are currently waiting at the country’s southern border, as the country prepares for a major offensive into Syria.

The Pentagon reportedly mulled allowing Kurdish fighters to keep their US-supplied weapons after the pullout, but Trump announced on Wednesday that US forces would remain there to protect the Kurds for some time to come.

“We want to protect the Kurds, but I don’t want to be in Syria forever,”Trump said, adding that the country is “sand and it’s death.”

At the time of Trump’s Christmas announcement, some 2,000 American troops were on the ground in Kurdish-controlled northern Syria.

Despite the vague timeline, some US troops have begun the journey home from Syria. Turkish media reports over the weekend claimed that some 50 US soldiers abandoned a base in the north-east of the country, leaving the 400-square-meter compound completely empty.

Putting an end to the US’ military adventures in the Middle East was a key promise Trump made while on the campaign trail. At Wednesday’s meeting, Trump also touched on his planned withdrawal of some US troops from Afghanistan, where they have been fighting Taliban militants for 17 years.

“It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen,” Trump said, adding that the US should pull out and let Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) and the Taliban fight each other. “Why isn’t India there? Pakistan? Russia?” Trump asked. “Why do we have to be?”

No Syrian military offensive planned in Idlib province – source

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has no plans of launching a large-scale offensive in the Idlib Governorate of northwest Syria at this time, a military officer in Damascus told Al-Masdar News this evening.

Speaking to Al-Masdar on the condition of unanimity, the source said that the Syrian military’s next planned offensive will take place in the Badiya Al-Sham region between the provinces of Deir Ezzor and Homs.

When asked if there are any plans to launch an offensive in the Idlib province, the officer responded ‘no’, adding that the Russian and Turkish forces in Syria are working to handle the situation diplomatically.

Furthermore, the military officer said that if an offensive were to take place, it would focus on the northeastern corridor of the Latakia province.

This region of the Latakia Governorate has long been under the control of the jihadist rebels and its recent influx of hostilities by Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham and the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP) has only increased the pressure on the Turkish military, who is attempting to block anymore Syrian Arab Army offensives in northwest Syria.

Previously, the Syrian Arab Army had planned to launch offensives around the Abu Dhuhour area of Idlib and Kurdish Mountains region of Latakia; however, their high command has changed their mind following the results of the Sochi Conference in late November 2018.


Turkey’s planned invasion impeded by new jihadist offensive in Aleppo

The Turkish military’s planned offensive in northern Syria has been obstructed by the massive attack waged by Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces.

According to a military source in Damascus, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has been monitoring closely the ongoing battle between Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham and the Turkish-backed National Liberation Front.

The source said that Damascus believes the new battle between the two rival rebel factions has impeded Ankara’s planned operation, as they scramble to retake the areas they lost to Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham.

Among the areas captured this week by Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham was the key town of Dart Izza, which is also a major stronghold for the Turkish-backed rebels in western Aleppo.

For the Kurdish-led People’s Protection Units (YPG) and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), this latest round of rebel infighting is a blessing in disguise for them, as they can now finish off the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) forces in southeast Syria before regrouping north.

Once the eastern bank of the Euphrates River Valley is cleared, the Syrian Democratic Forces and their allies can redeploy to the northern provinces to deal with the future Turkish Army invasion.

In regards to the Syrian Arab Army, the rebel infighting only spells instability in the opposition-held areas.

The Syrian Army could use this as an opportunity to expand their territorial influence and retake several vital areas inside the Aleppo, Latakia, Idlib and Hama provinces.


HTS storms strategic rebel-held city in northeast Idlib

Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham’s large-scale offensive in northwestern Syria has now spread to the Idlib Governorate, where their troops are attacking a key city near the Aleppo provincial border.

The jihadist group reportedly began storming the strategic city of Saraqib on Wednesday after seizing a large swathe of territory from the Turkish-backed Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki rebel faction.

Local activists claim that Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham has entered Saraqib after they clashed with members of the Turkish-backed National Liberation Front at the eastern axis of the city.

Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham has been wrecking havoc inside the rebel-held areas of western Aleppo and northeastern Idlib since Tuesday.

The jihadist group has seized several areas from their former allies, including the strategic town of Dart Izza, which is located just west of Aleppo city.

While the National Liberation Front has sent reinforcements to these fronts, they have been unable to recover any lost territories.


Old rivalries never die: Jaysh Al-Islam vows to fight HTS in northwest Syria

The Islamist group Jaysh Al-Islam has notified their allies in the National Liberation Front that they are willing to wage war against their old rivals from Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham in northwest Syria.

Jaysh Al-Islam, who is an integral ally to the National Liberation Front, is currently positioned in the Afrin region after they were forced to leave the East Ghouta region of Damascus earlier this year.

Both Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham and Jaysh Al-Islam have a long history of violence that stemmed from years of turmoil in the East Ghouta region.

Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham, then known as Jabhat Al-Nusra, teamed up with the Free Syrian Army’s (FSA) Al-Sham Legion to launch several attacks against Jaysh Al-Islam in the East Ghouta and its surrounding region.


NATIONAL FRONT FOR LIBERATION JOINS BATTLE AGAINST HAY’AT TAHRIR AL-SHAM IN WESTERN ALEPPO

The National Front for Liberation (NFL) announced a total mobilization against the “aggression” of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and vowed to repel the radical group’s attack on the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement.

“The NFL announces the total mobilization of all of its factions in the liberated areas in order to repel these attacks, deter the aggressor and restore all the occupied areas,” the NFL said in an official statement released on January 2.​

The Turkish-backed coalition, which includes the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement, called on the local and foreign fighters of HTS to defect or stay away from this battle.

HTS, which was the main branch of al-Qaeda’s in Syria, launched a large-scale attack on the positions of the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement in the western Aleppo countryside two days ago after accusing it of assassinating four of its fighters. The radical group managed to capture several areas from al-Zenki, including the strategic town of Darat Izza, without facing any real resistance.

Prior to the NFL statement, an commander of HTS told the Iba’a news network that the group’s attack is against the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement only and called on the remaining factions of the NFL to not get involved.

“We call on the factions fighters to not respond to those who want to throw them in a battle … to defend the al-Zenki Movement, whose crimes are well known,” Iba’a quoted the unnamed commander as saying.​

HTS’s attempt to keep the NFL away from the battle has apparently failed. However, local observers believe that Turkey will step in and facilitate a ceasefire once the NFL restore all the positions HTS captured from the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement.

 

[Ca.]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1080802121241579522

On December 31st, media outlet Suriye Gündemi published two infographics providing a pro-Turkish look at Ankara’s efforts in combating ISIS in Syria and inside Turkey. The provided data fully ignores the Turkish role in the terrorist group’s logistics, including the oil buisiness, but allows to get a look at how Turkey wants to represent its role in this very issue.

• According to the infographic, a total of 20 ISIS terror attacks have taken place in Turkey. The most notable was the January 1st, 2017 attack in a nightclub in Istanbul. A gunman entered the night club opened fire, killing 39 people and injuring 79 others. ISIS claimed responsibility shortly after it. As of July 19th 2018, 44 suspects were put behind bars in relation to the attack. Most recently, another suspect was arrested on December 24th, 2018, during a counterterrorism operation in southern Turkey.
• Approximately 300 people have lost their lives in terror attacks;
• 4,378 suspects were arrested for being members of ISIS, most recently on December 24th, 2018;
• Approximately 61,000 individuals were refused entry into Turkey due to links or suspected links to ISIS;
• 8,526 suspects are completely banned from entering Turkey;
• Approximately 1,000 foreigners linked to terrorism are at repatriation centers. Reportedly these centers operate at high efficiency and have beneficial conditions for the people in them. Foreigners involved in terrorism, working illegally, posing a threat to public order, whose visas have expired at least 10 days ago or whose applications for international protection have been rejected may also stay at repatriation centers. According to international law, the deportation of terror suspects should be carried out within 6 months, thus these people cannot be in such a center for longer.

The Euphrates Shield operation:

• Took 217 days. It started on August 24th, 2016 and ended on March 30th, 2017;
• The operation troops put an area of 2015 square kilometers under their control, clearing it of most of its ISIS presence;
• As a result of the operation 243 settlements were cleared of ISIS presence;
• More than 3,000 ISIS and People’s Protection Units (YPG) / Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) were defused; Turkey has always deemed the YPG / PKK a bigger threat than ISIS;
• As a result, 71 Turkish soldiers and approximately 600 Free Syrian Army members were killed.

One of the goals of the media campaign staged by Turkish and pro-Turkish media is to show and emphasize Ankara’s role in battling ISIS in the region. After all, US President Donald Trump said he entrusted the fight against the terrorists to Turkey and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Furthermore, Turkish media went to great lengths to allegedly expose the lacking French presence in Syria.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1080732950856118272

https://twitter.com/x/status/1080465335239745538

Putin and Macron also exchanged views "on the domestic crisis in Ukraine, taking into consideration the provocation Kiev staged in the Kerch Strait on November 25, 2018"
MOSCOW, January 2. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron have held a telephone conversation, discussing the Syria issue, the Kremlin press service said in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the two presidents "thoroughly discussed the Syria issue in light of agreements to form a constitutional committee that the leaders of Russia, Turkey, German and France had reached in Istanbul on October 27, 2018." Putin and Macron also exchanged views "on the domestic crisis in Ukraine, taking into consideration the provocation Kiev staged in the Kerch Strait on November 25, 2018."

Besides, the presidents of Russia and France wished each other a happy new year, the Kremlin press service added.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1080781392248750080

https://twitter.com/x/status/1080559717351608322