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

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping affirmed that they are working together to resolve the crises in Syria.

The so-called “Turkistan Islamic Party”, the Syrian branch of the Uighur-led terrorist group previously known as the “East Turkestan Islamic Movement”, threatened to deal Russia a defeat akin to the one that its Soviet predecessor experienced in Afghanistan, demonstrating the transnational danger that this group has become and consequently explaining why Turkey needs to take decisive action against these terrorists that are operating in its Syrian “sphere of influence”.

Idlib-Based Uighur Terrorists Threatened Russian Forces In Syria
Idlib-Based Uighur Terrorists Threatened Russian Forces In Syria - Eurasia Future

A Growing Threat
Tens of thousands of foreign jihadists flocked to Syria during the height of “Daesh’s” caliphate and the Arab Republic’s descent into failed state status, with many of them still remaining in the country despite the dramatic military reversal that occurred since then following Russia’s decisive anti-terrorist intervention in late 2015. Nowadays these terrorists are mostly concentrated in the northwestern province of Idlib that falls within Turkey’s informal “sphere of influence” per its responsibilities in what is euphemistically described as this “de-escalation zone”, but Ankara has been unable to wield much control over the region. As a result, a new transnational security threat is growing, and that’s the one posed by the Uighur-led terrorist group previously known as the “East Turkestan Islamic Movement” (ETIM). Its Syrian branch, the so-called “Turkistan Islamic Party” (TIP), recently released a video threatening to deal Russia a defeat akin to the one that its Soviet predecessor experienced in Afghanistan.

From Afghanistan To Syria
It’s no secret that at least several thousand Uighur terrorists have been in Syria for the past few years, but their brazen threat against Russia is an unexpected escalation that also reveals a newfound confidence. The danger that they pose to Russian forces might have also explained one of the reasons for the latest anti-terrorist incursion in Idlib, too, but it also more importantly speaks to the transnational threat of terrorism across the entire Eurasian space. Back when it was still the ETIM, the group traveled to nearby Afghanistan to train for its militant anti-Chinese jihad, but the organization has since set up base in Syria and rebranded itself as the TIP after coming under attack by the Kabul authorities. It’s in this second-mentioned theater that it received the most hands-on training but also faces the greatest risks because Russia is much better equipped than the Afghan National Army is to destroy any terrorists in its official zone of military operations, especially after recently being threatened by them.

Ceasefire Politics
Curiously, Russia just announced a unilateral ceasefire in Idlib, though the reason for this likely had to do with a combination of humanitarian and political concerns. TIP is known to embed its fighters in civilian areas, therefore greatly raising the risk of civilian casualties with each targeted bombing. In addition, since Idlib is within Turkey’s “sphere of influence”, the anti-terrorist operation there is politically sensitive for the Russian-Turkish Strategic Partnership. It’s not that Turkey supports terrorism, but just that it wants to retain influence in this region and possibly enshrine its de-facto autonomy into the forthcoming Syrian constitution, something that it won’t be able to do if the Syrian Arab Army successfully liberates it before then. Instead, it can be understood that Russia was sending Turkey a signal that it needs to take care of the situation as soon as possible otherwise Moscow won’t have any choice but to continue its anti-terrorist bombings there.

The China Card
Whether by coincidence or not, China just once again called on Turkey to support its anti-terrorist campaign in Xinjiang, something that Ankara has been reluctant to do for several self-interested reasons. The timing is interesting because it could also be interpreted as China hinting that Turkey needs to also take decisive action against TIP’s “safe havens” in its “sphere of influence”, which becomes all the more pressing to do after the terrorist group just threatened Russian forces. That might be the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back, but Turkey would nevertheless need to proceed with caution for self-evident military reasons but also sensitive political ones as well, seeing as how it’s regarded as the unofficial torchbearer of the pan-Turkish cause that the TIP also claims to be fighting for. Moving against the group might be seen as “betraying” this influential soft power ideal unless Turkey preemptively controls the narrative and makes it clear that it will not tolerate any organization that uses terrorism to advance this goal.

The Path To Peace
Turkey has the right to practice whatever policies its decision makers choose, but it would be wise to unambiguously distance itself from Uighur terrorists even if it decides to continue raising concerns about this ethnic group’s alleged treatment at the hands of the Chinese authorities. Transforming words into actions and physically eradicating Uighur terrorists in Idlib would go a long way towards showing how seriously Turkey takes its Chinese and Russian partners’ security, as well as maturely demonstrating that there are red lines that it won’t allow others within its “sphere of influence” to cross in pursuit of the pan-Turkish cause. As the kinetic military phase of the Hybrid War of Terror on Syria winds down and is replaced by its emerging non-kinetic political one, Idlib still stands out as the festering wound that’s holding the country back from a “compromise” solution, but the path to peace could be pioneered by Turkey if it takes action against the many terrorist groups there, especially the Uighur-led one that just threatened Russia.

No change in Syrian military’s leadership for Hama-Idlib offensive
No change in Syrian military's leadership for Hama-Idlib offensive

June 26, 2019 - All reports claiming the Russian military is displeased with the Tiger Forces’ commander, Major General Suheil Al-Hassan, are false, a source from the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) in northwestern Hama told Al-Masdar this afternoon.

According to the source, the opposition is spreading false rumors about the Russian military and General Al-Hassan after they incorrectly claimed 4th Division commander Major General Maher Al-Assad was pictured in northwestern Hama recently.

The photo in question was actually of a Tiger Forces officer that resembled General Assad.

The source added the opposition is attempting to paint the Syrian Army’s offensive as a failure, despite the fact they lost two major strongholds in northwestern Hama.

Rumors about General Maher Al-Assad have surfaced throughout the war, with almost all of the claims being false. Among the most widely spread rumors was that General Assad lost his legs during the July 18th, 2012 bombing in Damascus.

Furthermore, in recent weeks, opposition outlets have alleged that Iranian and Russian backed troops have clashed at this front; however, these claims were also false.

The Iranian military and their allied troops are not active at the front-lines in Hama and Idlib; they have mostly taken a defensive role, with units like the Local Defense Forces deploying their troops to captured areas.

Russian Air Force carries out first strikes near Idlib city
Russian Air Force carries out first strikes near Idlib city

June 26, 2019 - The Russian Air Force carried out their first airstrikes near Idlib city, today, marking the first time that they have targeted this area in June.

According to a military report, the Russian Air Force targeted the positions of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham south of Idlib city and near the Idlib Central Prison.

The Russian Air Force also targeted a number of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham sites in the southwestern countryside of the Idlib Governorate.

Breaking: Jihadists attempt to bomb main Russian base in Syria

June 26, 2019 - Minutes ago, the jihadist rebels in western Idlib attempted to bomb the Russian airbase in southwestern Latakia.

According to a field source in the Latakia Governorate, the jihadist rebels attempted to bomb the Russian Hmeimim Airbase using missiles fired from their attack drones.

However, the Russian air defenses were able to repel the attack before any of the missiles could hit the Hmeimim Airbase this morning.

Wednesday's attempted attack by the jihadist rebels marks the first time that they have tried to bomb the Hmeimim Airbase in several weeks.

The jihadist rebels previously tried to attack the Hmeimim Airbase on several occasions in May; however, their attacks were all repelled by the Russian military.

Israeli airstrikes in Syria endangers safety of Russian forces: report

2019-06-25 - The Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev stated on Tuesday that the Israeli airstrikes on Syria were ‘undesirable’, pointing out that they were endangering the safety of his country’s military personnel.

In turn, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured Russia during a speech on Tuesday that their personnel were not in danger, adding that his country has acted over 100 times in Syria to prevent Iranian arms from reaching Hezbollah.

Israeli Air Force carries out sorties with US, British F-35s in Syria
Israeli Air Force carries out sorties with US, British F-35s in Syria

June 26, 2019 - The Israeli Air Force carried out a number of sorties with the U.S. and British air forces this week, the Haaretz reported on Wednesday.

Citing the United Kingdom’s Permanent Joint Headquarters tweets on Tuesday, Haaretz reported that the F-35 units of the Israeli, U.S., and British air forces carried out joint sorties over both Iraq and Syria.


The British Royal Air Force’s F-35B stealth fighters recently arrived in Cyprus for a new combat mission against the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) in Syria and Iraq.

Six of the jets have been deployed at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus since May for training exercises, in an operation known as Exercise Lightning Dawn.

As part of their training, the jets carried out 95 missions and flew in pairs for 225 hours, the British MoD said.

Prior to the arrival of the RAF’s F-35s, only the U.S. and Israeli air forces had used these new stealth fighters in combat inside Syria.
 
Israeli warplanes have bombed civilians in the Damascus and Homs.

30 Jun, 2019

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Differences Deepen between Russia, Turkey on Idlib
Differences Deepen between Russia, Turkey on Idlib

Differences between Russia and Turkey have increased amid the Syrian army's air and ground offensives against the terrorist groups' positions and moves in Northern Hama and Southern Idlib.

Tahrir al-Sham al-Hay'at (the Levant Liberation Board or the Al-Nusra Front) terrorists stationed near the towns of al-Hawijeh and Shir Maqar in Northwestern Hama targeted the residential areas in the towns of al-Rasid and al-Aziziyeh in Qalat al-Maziq region with rockets, killing two children and wounding several other civilians.

Meantime, the Arabic-language al-Watan newspaper reported on Thursday that the Syrian Army's artillery and missile units responded the attack by destroying the terrorists positions in the towns of of Abu Ra'eideh, Hasraya, al-Latamineh, Kafar Zita, al-Hawijeh and Shir Maqar in Northwestern Hama, inflicting a heavy toll on the militants.

Russian Air Force devastates underground militant base in Idlib

The Russian Air Force carried out a powerful attack last night that targeted a base belonging to the Turkish-backed militants in the Idlib Governorate.

According to a military source, the Russian Air Force bombed the Turkish-backed National Liberation Front's underground base in southern Idlib.

As a result of this devastating Russian attack, more than 15 militants from the National Liberation Front were either killed or wounded.
This latest attack by the Russian Air Force was carried out in retaliation for an infiltration attempt that was conducted by the NLF in northern Latakia.

ISIS ambush kills several Syrian soldiers in eastern Syria

The Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) continued their hit-and-run attacks this week, targeting Syrian Arab Army (SAA) checkpoint in the eastern countryside of the Deir Ezzor Governorate.

According to a report from Deir Ezzor, the Islamic State terrorist group ambushed the Syrian Army checkpoint in the Badiyah Al- Quriyah area, killing and wounding several soldiers in this part of eastern Syria on Wednesday.

The Islamic State militants then fled the site to an unknown location in eastern Syria, the report added.

Russian Air Force lets loose large attack across southern Idlib

The Russian Air Force unleashed a heavy assault across the Idlib-Hama axis this afternoon, hitting several targets belonging to the jihadist rebels of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham and their allies from Jaysh Al-Izza.

Backed by the Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF), the Russian jets began their attack by heavily bombing the area between Khan Sheikhoun and Al-Hobeit in southwestern Idlib.

Following their attack on this area, the Russian Air Force expanded their strikes to the northern countryside of the Hama Governorate, where they reportedly hit Jaysh Al-Izza’s positions near their strongholds of Kafr Zita and Al-Latamnah The Russian Air Force would later target Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham’s positions near the towns of Kafr Nabl, Abideen, and Rakaya in rural Idlib.

Tensions rise in northeast Syria after Kurdish forces arrest Syrian military...

Tensions are rising in northeastern Syria following the arrest of several Syrian military personnel by the Asayish forces (Kurdish police) inside the Al-Hasakah Governorate.

According to reports from the Al-Hasakah Governorate, the Asayish forces arrested several members of the pro-government National Defense Forces (NDF) inside the large city of Al-Qamishli.

In response to these arrests, the National Defense Forces arrest four members of the Asayish police, prompting the closure of several roads inside and outside of Al-Qamishli.

The pro-government Al-Watan publication reported that several roads have been closed and snipers have been deployed in the region after tensions increased between the two sides, adding that the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have warned that it will abduct the family members of the NDF forces in Qamishli if its forces are not freed by the Syrian Army.

It added that the SDF has occupied the buildings of the state power generation company in the al-Nashweh district in southern Hasakah.

Syrian and Russian forces holding talks about new offensive in Idlib:...

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Russian military command are in talks about a new offensive in northwestern Syria, an army source in Damascus told Al-Masdar News this evening.

According to the source, the Russian-Turkish peace talks have completely collapsed in northern Syria, with Moscow resuming their heavy airstrikes on the militant forces in the Idlib, Latakia, Aleppo, and Hama governorates.

The source said the Russian Air Force sent a powerful message to the Turkish military on Wednesday when their jets destroyed an underground base belonging to the Ankara-backed National Liberation Front inside the town of Madaya in rural Idlib.

He added that the Syrian Arab Army and Russian military are planning a big offensive to expand in the Al-Zawiya Mountain region and nearby Al-Ghaab Plain.

At the same time, new reports from northwestern Syria are indicating that the jihadist rebels of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham and their Turkish-backed allies are preparing to launch a massive offensive to retake the ground they lost in northwestern Hama. With both sides preparing to launch offensives, the month of July is expected to witness nearly as much violence as May and June.

Russian military steps up operations in northwestern Syria amid collapsed talks...

The Russian military has stepped up their operations against the jihadist rebels in northwestern Syria, a source from the Syrian military told Al-Masdar News this afternoon.

The source said the recent spike in Russian military activity comes just days after their collapsed ceasefire talks with the Turkish Armed Forces in regards to the situation in northwestern Syria.

The Russian Air Force reportedly concentrated on the jihadist supply line from the town of Khan Sheikhoun to the Al-Ghaab Plain.

At the same time, the jihadist rebels have responded to the Russian airstrikes by launching several artillery shells and missiles towards the Syrian military’s positions in northwestern Hama.

Syrian intelligence forces carry out special operation behind enemy lines in Idlib

The Syrian military intelligence forces recently carried out an operation behind enemy lines to destroy an ammunition depot belonging to the jihadist rebels in the Idlib Governorate.

According to the official media wing of the Tiger Forces, the Syrian military intelligence forces planted and then detonated their explosives at the militant ammunition depot in the Jabal Al-Arba’een region of rural Idlib.

Ankara after Annexing Idlib Province to Occupied Territories in Aleppo
Ankara after Annexing Idlib Province to Occupied Territories in Aleppo

Ankara is attempting to take the preliminary steps for the political and military occupation of Idlib and annexing it to other areas occupied by the Turkish Army in Northern Aleppo, Syrian dissident sources claimed on Saturday.

The Arabic-language al-Arabi al-Jadid newspaper quoted Syrian dissident sources as saying on Saturday that Turkey wants to put Idlib province under the command and control of the Olive Branch and Operation Euphrates Shield forces which already control Afrin and the nearby areas in Northern Aleppo.

They added that the main problem for Turkey to attain this goal is the presence of Tahrir al-Sham al-Hay'at (the Levant Liberation Board or the Al-Nusra Front) terrorists, noting that the Turkish officials have told them that Tahrir al-Sham will be dissolved by the year end, through either war or peace to leave the Russians with no excuse to continue their military operations in the region.

The sources also said that the interim government affiliated to the dissidents will gain control of the bordering corridors between Syria and Turkey and the residents of these regions will be provided with main services with the revenues of these passageways.

Also, the Arabic-language al-Watan newspaper reported in June that Turkey ordered Tahrir al-Sham to reinforce strategic military positions in Jbal al-Zawiyeh in Idlib province after it turned down Russia's demand for withdrawing militants from the region.

"Turkey's intelligence body has asked Tahrir al-Sham and other terrorist groups in Northern Syria to reinforce its defense lines, including 50 towns and villages up to the city of Ariha in Aleppo-Lattakia international highway as clean-up operation by the Syrian and Russian armies in Jabal al-Zawiyeh in Idlib is imminent," al-Watan quoted local and opposition sources in Idlib as saying.

Tensions rise between Russian and Iranian forces in eastern Syria: report
Tensions rise between Russian and Iranian forces in eastern Syria: report

Tensions are rising between the Russian and Iranian forces in eastern Syria after the latter made attempts to ease the Islamic Republic's influence over the Euphrates River Valley region.

According to a new report from eastern Syria, the Russian and Iranian forces are at odds in the Deir Ezzor Governorate, as Moscow wants to avoid any conflicts that may present a future issue in the region.

A source from the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) stated this evening that the Russian Armed Forces have been on high alert since the June 30th Israeli airstrikes, indicating that Moscow expects Israel to launch more attacks in the near future.

The source added that the Russian military is concerned about the safety of their troops, as Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah are currently deployed near their forces in eastern Syria.

While the IRGC and Hezbollah are entrenched with one another, the Syrian and Russian forces are in another camp not far from their troops. This has caused some problems in the past as the Israeli Air Force has nearly hit the Russian troops at the T-4 Airbase.

Satellite images reveal aftermath of Israeli strikes in Syria

New satellite images released over the last 24 hours have revealed the extent of the damage done by the Israeli Air Force and Navy on Syrian military targets in Damascus and Homs.

In a satellite image released by Twitter user @Obs_IL, one building at the Mezzeh Military Airbase in western Damascus could be seen completely destroyed after the Israeli attack on the night of June 30th.


The Mezzeh Airbase was one of the main targets for the Israeli forces, as their missiles hit the installation and several nearby sites, including the hangars in the town of Jamraya.

In an another satellite image released by the Israel-based Image Satellite International company, one Syrian military hangar along a road leading to northern Lebanon can be seen completely destroyed by the Israeli forces.


The Israeli strikes on the night of June 30th was considered the most destructive attack launched by Israel in Syria since the start of the Syrian conflict.
 
The authorities are determined to make everything possible to encourage people to return to their homes.

Russian military provides humanitarian aid to refugees from Syria’s Idlib
Russian military provides humanitarian aid to refugees from Syria’s Idlib
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© Ugur Can/DHA via AP

The temporary accommodation centers in the Syrian province of Latakia have received refugees from the Idlib de-escalation zone where military activities are ongoing. Spokesman for the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Sides in Syria Sergei Smolinsky told reporters, adding that the Russian military had provided humanitarian aid to the refugees.

"They need help for they are not only facing welfare issues but psychological problems as well," he said.

Officers from the Russian Center continue to distribute food kits and bedding among refugees, while military doctors provide them with medical assistance.

According to Idlib Governor Fadi Sadun, the authorities are determined to make everything possible to encourage people to return to their homes. "Many families left Idlib. According to our data, as many as 7,500 refugees reside in Latakia, 11,000 found shelter in Hama, while others moved to Homs, Damascus and other cities. Our goal is to bring them back and we will make every effort to that end. The process will begin as soon as the situation in Idlib improves," he said.

Situation in Idlib
In accordance with a decision made by Russia, Iran and Turkey - the guarantors of the Syrian ceasefire - de-escalation zones were set up in Syria in May 2017. They include the Idlib Province, some parts of its neighboring areas in the Latakia, Hama and Aleppo provinces, Eastern Ghouta, as well as some areas in the Daraa and al-Quneitra provinces in southern Syria. Damascus took control of three of the four zones in 2014, but the zone covering the Idlib province and certain parts of the Latakia, Hama and Aleppo provinces is still controlled by terrorists from the Jabhat al-Nusra terror group (outlawed in Russia).

Head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation Major General Viktor Kupchishin said earlier that the Suran checkpoint had been established to secure the exit of civilians from the Idlib de-escalation zone. According to recent data, 40,000 to 80,000 people are ready to leave the area. Temporary accommodation has been set up for them in the provinces of Hama, Homs and Deir ez-Zor.

Situation in Idlib and in northeastern Syria in focus of Lavrov’s talks with UN envoy
Situation in Idlib and in northeastern Syria in focus of Lavrov’s talks with UN envoy

MOSCOW, July 5, 2019 - The situation in Idlib and in northeastern Syria was in the focus of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s talks with United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

The sides discussed in detail the current situation "on the ground" in Syria amidst an outburst of terrorist activities in Idlib and ongoing tensions in Syria's northeastern part. In this context, they stressed the importance of lasting stabilization in and around Syria as grounded in respect to its sovereignty and territorial integrity," the ministry said.

The sides also agreed that it is necessary to continue providing humanitarian assistance to Syria with view to its post-conflict revival and creating proper conditions for the return of Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons to places of their permanent residence.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Lavrov and Pedersen also discussed the developments relating to the political process with a focus on the formation and launch of the Syrian Constitutional Committee. "The sides agreed that the launch of the committee will make it possible to begin a direct intra-Syrian dialogue so that Syrians themselves could decide on the parameters of the final settlement in Syrian and on the future of their country, as is envisaged in the United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 2254 and the resolutions of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi", the Ministry noted.

Syria’s delegation to international Parliamentary Forum calls for preventing foreign interventions
02 July 2019 - The international Parliamentary Forum of Moscow continued its activities on Tuesday with the participation of 400 MPs and experts representing 132 states among them Syria, headed by Deputy Speaker Najdat Anzour.

During a round-table meeting, MP Ziad Sukari said that the terrorist war on Syria has targeted farms, forests and infrastructure, and this has formed a big challenge in front of efforts that had been exerted to achieve the sustainable development through connecting the food security with environmental security.

For his part, MP Mahmoud al-Hassan condemned Israeli occupation attempts to change the identity of the occupied Syrian Golan, affirming that Golan is an Arab Syrian territory.

Al-Hassan called for preventing the foreign interventions and lifting the unilateral, illegitimate blockade imposed on people.

MP Samir Hajjar pointed out that the international parliamentary cooperation should provide joint support to the legitimate right of states to defend themselves, particularly when they fight terrorism.

Syria Kurds host conference on Daesh detainees
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Now, the Kurds are struggling to cope with the thousands of alleged Daesh members they detained during the battle. (File/AFP)

July 06, 2019 - Dozens of international experts gathered in northeastern Syria on Saturday to discuss how to manage thousands of suspected Daesh members crammed into Kurdish-run prisons and camps.

French lawyers and US-based analysts were among those attending the three-day conference on the challenges still facing the region after Daesh’s territorial defeat, organizers said.

Officials of the autonomous Kurdish administration in northeastern Syria, which is hosting the conference in the town of Amuda, were also due to take part.

In March, Kurdish-led fighters overran the last pocket of the extremists’ cross-border “caliphate” with support from a US-led coalition.
Now, the Kurds are struggling to cope with the thousands of alleged Daesh members they detained during the battle.

They include around 1,000 suspected foreign fighters held in jail and some 13,000 family members in overcrowded camps.
With no local court equipped to deal with the large number of extremist suspects, the Kurds have pressed their home countries to take them back.

But Western governments have been reluctant to repatriate them or put them on trial at home. “There is global consensus that action urgently needs to be taken to deal with the thousands of foreign Daesh fighters and affiliates, plus Daesh-linked children, currently detained in northeast Syria,” the organizers of the three-day conference said. “However, there is near-total lack of consensus as to what this action will look like.”

Syria's Kurds have called for outside help to set up an international tribunal.

Iraq has offered to put suspected foreign extremists on trial in Baghdad in exchange for millions of dollars, officials told AFP in April.
 
What is happening in the US 'democratic' refugee camp in al-Hasakah, while Russian warplanes in Hama destroying an ammunition depot and the building where terrorists hold a meeting.

15.07.2019

Hundreds of US Trucks Carrying Weapons, Military Equipment Arrive in Eastern Syria
Jul 15, 2019

Arab Paper Reveals Syrian Kurds' Oil Privilege to Israeli Businessman
Jul 15, 2019
 

Great find, StRmR1dR! :-)

Quotes from article:

A leaked letter signed by the US-backed Kurds shows that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have given a privilege to an Israeli businessman to sell oil extracted from Northern Syria.

The Arabic-language al-Akhbar newspaper reported that Israeli journalists are freely active in the SDF-controlled areas in North-eastern Syria and Israeli officers make regular visits to the region.

It added that the letter signed by Ilham Ahmed, the head of the so-called Syria's Democratic Council, gives Moti Kahana, an Israeli businessmen, the privilege to sell the oil exploited from the Kurds-controlled areas in Northeastern Syria.

The newspaper wrote that the letter, if real, means that Syria's Democratic Council is acting - as an independent side from the Syrian government and permits the enemies of Syria - to take control of the Country's oil.

It added that the SDF is now controlling lands in Northern Syria which host 80% of the Country's oil fields.

~~~
Well, isn't that "just neighborly" of those nice law-abiding SDF Kurds, who caravanned into Syria, set up camp with their families, positioning their vacation spot next to a bunch of Syrian oil wells and then decided to make it their permanent residence? Dare ... I whisper the word .. "squatter's"!

But wait ... the squatter's are "civilized" calling themselves "Syria's Democratic Council" (sounds legal) and they have opened up a nice store front, just like other "Democratic enterprises" and have adopted one of it's main operating practices (compound financing) which in laymen terms, equates to a primitive and decades old form of equitable exchange (Paul stealing from Peter or is it the other way around ...) and eliciting a profit (couple shekels) from a third party.

I would speculate, if the leaked letter, signed by IIham Ahmed proved to be authentic, President Assad would then have legal grounds to intervene and hold the Kurds liable for the transactions and void the further sale of Syrian oil? A few months back, the Kurds came to an agreement with the Syrian Government, where by, a certain amount of oil extracted (barrels) would be transferred to Syrian reserves, per month and in exchange, the Syrian Government would cover certain expenses in the Kurds governing body. About five weeks ago, a report on SANA stated the Kurds have yet to transfer "any oil", as stipulated by agreement. If the leaked letter holds true - the Israeli's have been getting - what was allocated to Syria by the Kurds and then some?

If the Kurd's want to play the "Democratic card", maybe Assad can accommodate them with some real western-style Democracy - a 30 day Eviction Notice. After that specific date, they can be forcefully removed. I don't really see where that type of solution would be much of a hardship on the Kurd's - as I understand it - Israel has recently opened up another five thousand (illegal) apartment units in the West Bank? To make matters "simple" Assad can just bus them - over to the Golan Heights and unload them - on the Israeli-Syrian Border. The Druze will watch closely that all the Kurds get into Israel - safely.

The Syrian Kurds deal with the Israeli businessman might be in part - why the Kurds in Iraq have done an 180* turn in their quest for independence - anyways - that's the story line for now. If Israel is backing the Kurds, it's only a matter of time before there is a repeat to establish their Kurdistan, consolidating their stolen assets in Syria, Iraq and Turkey.


Exclusive: New Kurdish PM says priority is stronger Baghdad ties, rather than independence
Members of the new cabinet of the Kurdistan parliament headed by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani pose for a family photo, in Erbil, Iraq July 10, 2019. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari

Members of the new cabinet of the Kurdistan parliament headed by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani pose for a family photo, in Erbil, Iraq July 10, 2019. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari

Masrour Barzani, sworn in as regional prime minister on Wednesday, told Reuters in an exclusive interview that under his leadership, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s focus would be to establish a "strong and constructive" relationship with Baghdad, leaving the question of independence aside for now.

Masrour Barzani, sworn in as regional prime minister on Wednesday, told Reuters in an exclusive interview that under his leadership, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s focus would be to establish a “strong and constructive” relationship with Baghdad, leaving the question of independence aside for now.

The independence bid was led by Barzani's father Masoud, who stepped down as Kurdish President in 2017 after the referendum backfired and prompted a military offensive from Baghdad.
 
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2019-07-17
Military police personnel of Russia’s Southern Military District has returned to the North Caucasus Republic of Chechnya after their combat mission in Syria, the District’s press office reported on Wednesday.

“A special ceremony was held on the territory of a motorized infantry unit stationed in the Chechen Republic to welcome back military police personnel from the Syrian Arab Republic,” the press office said in a statement.

The personnel of the military police battalion received departmental and state awards.

Overall, about 300 service members of the Southern Military District have returned home after successfully accomplishing special assignments in Syria. They were delivered by Il-76 military transport planes to an airfield in North Ossetia, the press office specified.

From May 2019, the military police guarded vital facilities of the Russian grouping of forces in Syria, provided for law and order and the security of civilians in the liberated communities and also organized escorts of humanitarian convoys and their security.
Source: TASS

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@SyrianaAnalysis
Watch our latest video | The main purpose of the sanctions against #Syria is to terrorize the Syrian people by depriving them of their basic needs. And by doing so, the #US and the #EU are simply telling the Syrian people: “kneel or starve”.





17.07.2019 -

Translated from Russian
#Syria#Russia#Turkey#Idlib#Hama#Latakia#Aleppo Militants of the Hayat Tahrir ash-Sham organization banned in Russia and the “moderate opposition” allied groups are preparing for a new phase of hostilities in the north of Hama province and the south of Idlib province.
 
Great find, StRmR1dR! :-)

Quotes from article:

A leaked letter signed by the US-backed Kurds shows that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have given a privilege to an Israeli businessman to sell oil extracted from Northern Syria.

The Arabic-language al-Akhbar newspaper reported that Israeli journalists are freely active in the SDF-controlled areas in North-eastern Syria and Israeli officers make regular visits to the region.

It added that the letter signed by Ilham Ahmed, the head of the so-called Syria's Democratic Council, gives Moti Kahana, an Israeli businessmen, the privilege to sell the oil exploited from the Kurds-controlled areas in Northeastern Syria.

The newspaper wrote that the letter, if real, means that Syria's Democratic Council is acting - as an independent side from the Syrian government and permits the enemies of Syria - to take control of the Country's oil.

It added that the SDF is now controlling lands in Northern Syria which host 80% of the Country's oil fields.

Thanks! An interesting statement by the American-Israeli 'businessman':

Explaining his presence in Syria, Kahana told Israel Hayom: “It’s important for me to explain that I do not serve any side in this story because I have one goal – for Syria to be democratic, free and live in good neighbourliness with Israel. I don’t serve Israel, I am an American citizen, but everyone can benefit from this.”

His remarks to the Israeli daily did however suggest that Kahana at least sees himself as having a vital role in the export of Syrian oil if he hasn’t been granted permission already. “The moment the Trump administration gives its approval, we can begin to export this oil at fair prices, and to use it to build and defend democratic Syria, push Iran and ISIS [Daesh] out of the country and usher in progress and democracy,” said Kahana.

July 17, 2019

Lavrov said that US wants to protect Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization for prolonging the crisis in Syria.

Lavrov: US and some Western countries attempt to prolong crisis in Syria
By Shaza - 17 July, 2019

17.07.2019

2019-07-17

2019-07-17

2019-07-17
 
Zakharova says that US is replacing its troops in Syria with employees of the private military companies.

By Elena Teslova - 18.07.2019

Lavrov slams silence towards presence of thousands of terrorists in Idleb
By Ruaa al-Jazaeri - 18 July, 2019

17 July, 2019

17.07.2019
 
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