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

Twisted logic while ignoring the basic facts? Both - the U.S. and Turkey have no justifiable or legal argument on what goes on in Syria. Neither belongs there! Looks like Putin will be baby-sitting again? At least - there will be one grown up "to de-conflict" their ill fated temper tantrums?

U.S. steps up warnings on Russia over Syria's Idlib, military de-confliction
The United States on Wednesday stepped up warnings to Russia over its Syria policy, saying Moscow was trying to challenge the U.S. presence in northeastern Syria by violating the terms of a de-confliction agreement and was also helping escalate the fighting in the northwestern province of Idlib.

U.N. Security Council to meet Thursday to discuss Idlib, Syria: Security Council source
The United Nations Security Council will meet on Thursday to discuss the current situation in the Syrian city of Idlib, a Security Council source said on Wednesday.

Syria government forces enter town east of Idlib city: eyewitnesses, war monitor
FILE PHOTO: A view of trucks carrying belongings of displaced Syrians, is pictured in the town of Sarmada in Idlib province, Syria, January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo
Syrian government forces entered Saraqeb in northwestern Idlib province, a war monitor and eye witnesses said on Wednesday, in a renewed push by President Bashar al-Assad to recapture the last rebel stronghold

Israel is another problem ...
Syrian air defences intercept Israeli missiles: state media
Syrian air defences intercepted Israeli missiles over the capital Damascus, state media said early on Thursday without specifying the nature of the targets.
 
'A NATO preparations for invading Syria?'

Google Translate
F-16 fighters attacked Syria from the Mediterranean Sea. Video
2020-02-06

Google Translate
French aircraft carrier came to Syria within striking distance
2020-02-06

06.02.2020

05.02.2020

2020-02-05

05.02.2020
 
Apparently this happened back in November. The forever faulty F-35 could not catch up with a Russian Tu-160 supersonic bomber above the skies near Japan. - The F-35 is an overweight chicken and flies the same way.


A Tu-160 on Afterburner Got Away From a Japanese F-35

1573066146_-160-11.jpeg


Recently, Business Insider magazine named the F-35 fighter one of the worst American developments. This aircraft is very expensive and has not yet got rid of a lot of shortcomings. The Air Force and Navy had high hopes for it, but it does not live up to them.

According to Sohu, on November 3rd the F-35A took part in an unpleasant incident. The Russian Tu-160 missile carrier carried out a planned flight over the Japanese Sea and was accompanied by two fighter jets. Suddenly, the bomber set the maximum wing sweep angle and turned on its afterburner, trying to break away from the escort.

The F-35A tried to catch up with the Russian jet, but they couldn’t. The huge Tu-160 was still visible on radar screens, but quickly left the line-of-sight area. Thus, a 110-ton strategic bomber suddenly easily got rid of two 13-ton pursuers.

In terms of military features, it should be noted that the incident that Sohu writes about confirms one of the characteristic features of supersonic strategic bombers. High flight speed is one of the main ways of overcoming air defences. It allows to quickly reach the launch line of missiles or break through air defence zones or get away from fighter jets.

Tactical and technical characteristics of equipment also affected the results of the recent incident. The Russian Tu-160 reaches speeds of up to 2,200 km/h. The American F-35 with afterburn accelerates only up to 1930 km/h and can maintain such a speed for a very limited time.
 
Israel is up to it's old tricks - using a civilian plane that was about to land and using the plane as a shield to avoid detection.

Israeli attack leads to a possible shoot-down of a civilian plane with 172 people on board in Syria
Israeli attack leads to a possible shoot-down of a civilian plane with 172 people on board in Syria

07.02.2020, Moscow - Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighters used a civilian plane that was landing at the Damascus airport as a shield in order to evade the Syrian air defense systems during a missile strike on Syria, said Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov on February 7.

On Thursday to Friday night, IAF launched an attack on military and civilian targets near Damascus firing air-to-surface missiles from outside of Syrian airspace.

At the time of the strike, an Airbus A320 with 172 passengers on board flying from Tehran to Damascus was about to land at Damascus International Airport when the Syrian air defense systems engaged the hostile targets.

The civilian aircraft was safely redirected from the danger zone thanks to a quick reaction of air traffic controllers and timely made decisions by the automated air traffic control system.

Considering the situation in the Syrian sky, the Russian air base command in Hmeymim quickly allowed an emergency landing of an Airbus-320. The plane landed safely, no one was injured.

Russian Defense Ministry also noted that such incidents are not a coincidence, they are planned in the operational headquarters in advance and became an established pattern of the IAF.

On September 17, 2018, Russian Il-20 reconnaissance plane with 15 servicemen onboard was accidentally shot down by the Syrian air defenses during an IAF missile attack.

The tragic incident took place as a result of a deliberate maneuver of an IAF fighter which used a Russian plane as a shield making it a subject to an attack by the Syrian air defense. This led to the deaths of all Russian Aerospace Force (RAF) Il-20 servicemen on board.

Reuter's version of the incident:
Passenger plane makes emergency landing to avoid coming under Syrian fire: Russia
A passenger plane carrying 172 passengers from Tehran to Damascus made an emergency landing at the Russian-controlled Hmeimim Air Base in Syria on Thursday to avoid coming under fire from Syrian air defenses, Russia said on Friday.

The Syrian forces were responding to Israeli strikes on targets in Syria, Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov was quoted as saying by Interfax and other Russian agencies.

Erdogan is in no position to make demands where Idlib is concerned and now has Russian officials headed to Turkey for talks. Assad is not going to forfeit it's own territory, just to satisfy Erdogan's Empire-building. He can play all the games, he wants. It's not going to change Syria's position.

Russians head to Turkey for talks on Syria's Idlib offensive: minister
Russian officials will arrive in Turkey on Saturday for talks aimed at stopping the Syrian government's offensive in Syria's northwestern Idlib region and halt a humanitarian catastrophe there, Turkey's foreign minister said on Friday.
 
The US' 'withdrawal' from Syria: Smugglers are building two military bases in oil-rich Governorate of Al-Hasakah.

9 FEB, 2020
 
'Turkey and Russia are negotiating for further negotiations.'

09.02.2020

09 February 2020
 
'Turkey and Russia are negotiating for further negotiations.'

I have a feeling Erdogan has "gone MAD - like a rabid dog" and crossed too many red lines this time? Putin looks "totally disgusted" with the whole situation! Erdogan probably ordered his Troops to be aggressive and push the Syrian Troops back and it caused a direct confrontation and several of the Turkish forces ended up getting killed ... giving Erdogan an excuse to retaliate?

According to reports, 51 Syrian Soldiers have been killed and a Syrian Government helicopter was shot down. No further details on the helicopter or casualties were released. Depending on who was on that helicopter - things could go "hot" - what if President Assad or a family member was on board?

Putin to discuss Syria with Turkey's Erdogan amid rising tensions: TASS
FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Construction, Housing and Utilities Minister Vladimir Yakushev during a meeting in Moscow, Russia February 10, 2020. Sputnik/Aleksey Nikolskyi/Kremlin via REUTERS
Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss the situation in Syria with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan by phone later on Tuesday amid rising tensions over the Syrian province of Idlib, the TASS news agency cited the Kremlin as saying.

Kremlin to Turkey: Help stop attacks on Syrian and Russian forces in Idlib
The Kremlin said on Tuesday that all attacks on Russian and Syrian government forces in Syria's Idlib province should stop and that agreements it had struck with Turkey on the conflict had to be upheld.

Government troops seizes highway in northwest Syria as Turkey-Russia talks end inconclusively
Government forces seized control of a highway in northwest Syria for the first time since 2012 on Tuesday as they pressed their campaign to eradicate the last rebel strongholds in Idlib province and the Aleppo countryside, a war monitor said.

Erdogan: Syrian government to pay 'heavy price' for attacking Turkish soldiers
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday the Syrian government will pay a "very heavy price" for attacking Turkish troops in northwest Syria's Idlib region, where 13 soldiers have been killed in just over a week, prompting a retaliation.

Turkey says 51 Syrian soldiers killed as rebels hit back in Idlib
A Turkish soldier walks near Turkish military vehicles in Hazano near Idlib, Syria, February 11, 2020. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
Turkey said on Tuesday 51 Syrian soldiers were killed in northwest Syria as Turkish-backed rebels struck back against Russian-supported government forces who had made gains in their campaign to eliminate the last insurgent bastion in the country.

Syrian army helicopter downed in northwest Syria-rebel commanders
A Syrian military helicopter was shot down in northwest Idlib province on Tuesday, two Turkey-backed rebel commander said on Tuesday.

Turkey-backed rebels down Syrian government helicopter in northwest Syria: Turkish state TV
Turkey-backed Syrian rebels have downed a helicopter believed to belong to the Syrian government in northwestern Syria's Nairab town, Turkish state broadcaster TRT Haber reported on Tuesday, as clashes continued in the region. TRT Haber did not provide any further details. The incident comes a day after Syrian government forces killed five Turkish soldiers in northwestern Syria, prompting retaliation from the Turkish troops in the region.

Syrian army says it will respond to Turkish attacks
The Syrian army said on Tuesday it would respond to attacks by Turkish forces who it said were trying to halt army advances in the last rebel bastion in northwest Syria.

The situation in Idlib deteriorated dramatically after Russian and Turkish military’s another attempt to enforce a ceasefire was met by terrorists amping up their attacks, which killed specialists from Russia and Turkey.

Turkey’s Erdogan to reveal new Syria steps on February 12
https://tass.com/world/1118797

ANKARA, February 11. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced Tuesday that he will unveil new measures on Syria on February 12 after Turkish forces came under fire in Syria’s Idlib Province, he said in a speech delivered in Ankara.

The regime [of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad] was seriously hit in Idlib but it is not enough. They will pay a heavy price for attacking our military personnel. Tomorrow, I will reveal the steps we are taking," the Turkish leader stressed.

The situation in Idlib deteriorated dramatically after Russian and Turkish military’s another attempt to enforce a ceasefire was met by terrorists amping up their attacks. As a result, military specialists from Russia and Turkey died. The Syrian army retaliated, striking extremists and capturing the town of Saraqib near Idlib on February 5.

Moreover, Turkish forces were twice caught up in Syrian army fire on February 3 and 10, ten military servicemen and three civilian personnel were killed.
 
TASS News site is reporting that the helicopter shot down by Turkey's Troops was Military ... not Government. More Turkish Troops have crossed the Syrian Border, reported at dawn Wednesday morning. Another report claims Turkey is using proxy militants from the Free Syrian Army, now rebranded as the Syrian National Army (SNA).

On Tuesday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry accused Turkey of violating Syria’s sovereignty by deploying additional forces to the provinces of Idlib and Aleppo and carrying out strikes on areas where civilians resided, as well as on military facilities. Damascus believes that Ankara’s actions are aimed at shielding militant groups that are about to be defeated in an offensive conducted by Syrian government forces.

Opposition shoots down Syrian army’s helicopter in Idlib — media
https://tass.com/defense/1118745

February 11, 2020 -Militants of the so-called Syrian armed opposition have shot down a helicopter belonging to the Syrian forces, TRT television reported on Tuesday.

According to Turkiye newspaper, the helicopter was shot down near Saraqib, a city in northwestern Syria’s Idlib Governorate.

Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense reported on Monday that Turkey had attacked 115 targets of the Syrian army in response to the previous attacks on its military in the Idlib Governorate. Three tanks, two artillery positions and one helicopter were destroyed, it stated.

The situation in Idlib sharply deteriorated after the Russian and Turkish military had tried to establish truce, but terrorists only intensified their attacks. Russian and Turkish military specialists were killed. The Syrian army retaliated assuming control of Saraqib near Idlib on February 5.

On February 3 and 10, the Turkish military twice came under the Syrian army’s fire, which killed ten troops and three civilians.

Turkey sends additional troops to Syria — media
Turkey sends additional troops to Syria — media

MOSCOW, February 12, 2020 - Turkey has sent additional troops to Syria, Sky News Arabia reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

According to the TV channel, Turkish troops crossed the Syrian border at dawn, heading for the western areas of the Aleppo province. Sky News Arabia added that Turkish troops were establishing an observation point on a road connecting the Atarib and Al-Jinah settlements.

On Saturday, Turkey’s Anadolu news agency reported that Ankara was sending a convoy of 300 trucks and armored vehicles to the Syrian border, adding that the troop deployment had been going on for several days.

Four de-escalation zones were set up in Syria in May 2017 in accordance with a decision made by Russia, Iran and Turkey - the guarantors of the Syrian ceasefire. The four zones include the Idlib Province, certain parts of neighboring areas in the Latakia, Hama and Aleppo provinces, as well as some areas in the Daraa and Quneitra provinces in southern Syria. Damascus took control of three of the four zones in 2018, but the fourth one, which covers 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).

On Tuesday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry accused Turkey of violating Syria’s sovereignty by deploying additional forces to the provinces of Idlib and Aleppo and carrying out strikes on areas where civilians resided, as well as on military facilities. Damascus believes that Ankara’s actions are aimed at shielding militant groups that are about to be defeated in an offensive conducted by Syrian government forces.

Media: Turkey may be using proxy forces in Syria
Press review: Turkey may be using proxies in Syria and Russian envoy chides US visa policy

Feb. 12, 2020 - Judging by reports from Ankara, Turkey sent its proxy army into combat in Syria’s Idlib province on Tuesday. Photos available in open sources show joint actions by Turkish troops and militants from the Free Syrian Army, now rebranded as the Syrian National Army (SNA). Izvestia’s sources in the Syrian government army say that SNA groups have moved into Idlib from the country’s north to help jihadists active in the region.

Many experts consider the so-called Free Syrian Army to be Turkey’s proxy forces fighting in Syria and Libya. They previously took part in Ankara’s Operation Olive Branch and Operation Peace Spring against the Kurds. And now, they have been relocated to Idlib to fight Syria’s government troops, military expert Vladislav Shurygin told Izvestia.

"Turkish proxies are better equipped than the Idlib Islamists," the expert explained. "They have been provided not only with advanced weapons and equipment but also with M113 armored personnel carriers. The militants won’t be able to turn the tide unless the Turkish army joins the conflict. The situation may change only if they secure artillery and air support, like when they fought against the Kurds," he added.

With tensions escalating between Russia and Turkey over the situation in Idlib, the question arises if there will be another Astana meeting because half a year has passed since the last summit between Russia, Turkey and Iran that took place in Ankara in September 2019.

Head of the Political Research at the Center for Modern Turkish Studies Yuri Mavashev believes that it will be highly difficult to organize a meeting of the trio under the current circumstances.

However, it is for resolving such issues that the Astana process was launched in January 2017, the expert pointed out.

"Talks on the final status of the Turkish safe zone are the reason for the current rise in tensions in Idlib," Timur Akhmetov, an Ankara-based expert from the Russian International Affairs Council, told Nezavisimaya Gazeta. "Since participants in the political dialogue are interested in stabilizing the situation, there will be only a limited military confrontation," he added.

Turkey will hit Syrian government forces anywhere if troops hurt: Erdogan
FILE PHOTO: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses members of his ruling AK Party at the parliament in Ankara, Turkey, February 12, 2020. REUTERS/Stringer
President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Turkey's military would strike Russian-backed Syrian forces by air or ground anywhere in Syria if another Turkish soldier was hurt as the Assad government tried to regain control of Idlib province.

Kremlin accuses Turkey of flouting agreements made on Syria
The Kremlin on Wednesday accused Turkey of flouting agreements it had made with Russia to neutralize militants in the Syrian province of Idlib and said militant attacks on Syrian and Russian forces in the region were continuing.

U.S.-led coalition says troops returned fire in northeast Syria
The U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State militants said its troops opened fire on Wednesday at a checkpoint in northeast Syria after they came under small arms fire.

U.S. jets carry out air strike in northeast Syria: Syrian news agency
U.S. warplanes carried out at least one air strike in Syria's northeast Hasakah region after an incident at a checkpoint where U.S. soldiers killed one person, Syrian and Turkish media said on Wednesday.
 
СРОЧНО: Русский генерал спас американцев от расправы в Сирии (ФОТО, ВИДЕО)
12.02.2020 - 20:50

Translation

URGENT: Russian General saved Americans from massacre in Syria (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
12.02.2020-20: 50
The chronology of the conflict with the shooting involving U.S. troops in the province of hasakah from the first person.

This is stated in a new report of the "Russian Spring" from the Syrian Arab Republic.

On February 12, an American convoy of 6 armored vehicles entered the settlement of Kharbat-Hamo (3 km East of the city of Qamishli) in Haseke province, violating existing international agreements.

In response to the provocative actions of the US armed forces, local residents demanded that American soldiers leave the territory of the settlement. In turn, the us military opened fire with automatic weapons.

As a result of the shooting, one local resident was killed — a 14-year — old boy, Fesail Khalid Mahmoud, and one was wounded-Jamal Mahmoud Alarab. Out of desperation, the men of the Kharbat Hamo community were forced to open fire on American vehicles with personal weapons. Yes, the country has been at war for many years, and here almost every head of the family has a weapon for self-defense. Especially the Kurds.

A Russian military patrol responsible for the area under the international patrol agreement went to the scene almost immediately. Due to the complexity of the incident, a Russian General arrived with the patrol. For obvious reasons, we can't reveal his identity. But it was the presence of such a high-ranking Russian officer that helped prevent an escalation of the conflict and avoid further casualties.

After holding talks with the elders of the settlement and American military personnel, the Russian General acted as a personal guarantor that the American convoy would leave Kharbat-Hamo unhindered, and the US armed forces, in turn, would not threaten the life and health of the civilian population.

We will note that, after a while, the real stuffing on maloavtoritetny resources and accounts in social networks began that during firefight one serviceman of the USA was lost. A us air force fighter jet flew to the scene of the incident, which defiantly broke the sound barrier and fired off heat traps.

The SAR defense Ministry responded to this incident: "we Call on the international community to put pressure on Washington and bring to justice those responsible for the murder of a SAR citizen.

Once again, we draw the attention of the international community to the fact that the presence of an American military contingent on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic is contrary to international law."
СРОЧНО: Русский генерал спас американцев от расправы в Сирии (ФОТО, ВИДЕО)
 
URGENT: Russian General saved Americans from massacre in Syria (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
12.02.2020-20: 50

On February 12, an American convoy of 6 armored vehicles entered the settlement of Kharbat-Hamo (3 km East of the city of Qamishli) in Haseke province, violating existing international agreements

As a result of the shooting, one local resident was killed — a 14-year — old boy, Fesail Khalid Mahmoud, and one was wounded-Jamal Mahmoud Alarab. Out of desperation, the men of the Kharbat Hamo community were forced to open fire on American vehicles with personal weapons. Yes, the country has been at war for many years, and here almost every head of the family has a weapon for self-defense. Especially the Kurds.

A Russian military patrol responsible for the area under the international patrol agreement went to the scene almost immediately. Due to the complexity of the incident, a Russian General arrived with the patrol. For obvious reasons, we can't reveal his identity. But it was the presence of such a high-ranking Russian officer that helped prevent an escalation of the conflict and avoid further casualties.

After holding talks with the elders of the settlement and American military personnel, the Russian General acted as a personal guarantor that the American convoy would leave Kharbat-Hamo unhindered, and the US armed forces, in turn, would not threaten the life and health of the civilian population.

We will note that, after a while, the real stuffing on maloavtoritetny resources and accounts in social networks began during firefight one serviceman of the USA was lost. A us air force fighter jet flew to the scene of the incident, which defiantly broke the sound barrier and fired off heat traps.

A report on the American version ... the incident had occurred at a checkpoint near the town of Qamishli, right on the Syrian-Turkish border in Syria's northeastern corner. The above report states "one U.S.A. serviceman was lost" but the American version is, ""one U.S. Soldier had a minor superficial scratch while operating their equipment"- a possible cover up?

https%3A%2F%2Fs3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fthe-drive-cms-content-staging%2Fmessage-editor%252F1581526005337-map.jpg

DOD - An official US military map showing various areas of interest in northeastern Syria, including Qamishli, as well as approximate zones of control.

Jets Fly Show Of Force During Gunfight Between US And Syrian Troops At Checkpoint (Updated) February 12, 2020
Jets Fly Show Of Force During Gunfight Between US And Syrian Troops At Checkpoint (Updated)

Many of the exact details about the incident are still unclear, but U.S. Air Force F-15 combat jets executed a show of force during a standoff between U.S. troops and a mob aligned with Syria's dictator Bashar Al Assad at a checkpoint, which had spiraled into a brief gunbattle. That skirmish left one Syrian dead and an American with very minor injuries. A Russian military patrol that was in the area was also on the scene during the shooting, which follows weeks of similar standoffs between U.S. and Russian personnel in northeastern Syria.

The U.S.-led coalition ostensibly fighting ISIS in both Syria and Iraq confirmed that the incident had occurred at a checkpoint near the town of Qamishli, which is situated right on the Syrian-Turkish border in Syria's northeastern corner. Syrian state media said that the altercation had taken place specifically on a stretch of road in the village of Khirbet Ammu, to the east of Qamishli. The U.S. forces were traveling in a convoy in a mix of M-ATV and MRAP mine-resistant wheeled armored vehicles at the time.

After Coalition troops issued a series of warnings and de-escalation attempts, the patrol came under small arms fire from unknown individuals. In self-defense, Coalition troops returned fire, U.S. Army Colonel Miles Caggins III, the top spokesperson for the U.S.-led coalition, also known as Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, said in a statement. "The situation was de-escalated and is under investigation. The Coalition patrol returned to base."
Caggins later issued a second statement saying that "one U.S. Soldier had a minor superficial scratch while operating their equipment" during the incident and that "the Soldier is back at work."

Pictures show that U.S. Air Force F-15s, possibly F-15E Strike Eagles, which have been very active in the region, conducted a show of force during the incident, flying over the area and firing off flares. Syrian authorities claimed there had been an actual airstrike, but there is no evidence of this. Combat jets and helicopters firing flares overhead is a common show of force tactic, which U.S. forces have employed in both Syria and Iraq in the past.

Syrian state media also claims that U.S. forces opened fire on civilians and that they killed one of them. The videos and pictures that have since emerged on social media do show what appear to be civilians milling around the checkpoint, as well as in heated discussions with American troops. In one case, an individual is seen holding a torn U.S. flag, reportedly pulled off of one of the American vehicles.

However, there is no evidence that American forces deliberately fired at civilians. At least one video clip shows members of the pro-Assad force manning the checkpoint firing at the U.S. convoy while not wearing readily discernable military uniforms.

There are indications that some of the U.S. M-ATVs and MRAPs had suffered some damage in the incident. Pictures reportedly from the aftermath of the incident show one M-ATV being towed away and superficial damage to another vehicle. Some videos show apparent civilians or militia members pelting the vehicles with rocks and possibly throwing at least one Molotov cocktail at them.

Though it is not entirely clear when they arrived, Russian forces, who are ostensibly aligned with Assad's regime and patrol areas of northeastern Syria under a separate agreement with the Turkish government, were also present during the incident. The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an independent monitoring group, said its sources indicated that the Russians attempted to de-escalate the situation, according to the Associated Press. Video available on social media clearly shows that Russia's troops had arrived before the shooting started and were there during the skirmish. At the time of writing, there were no reports of Russian casualties.

This incident follows weeks of increasingly routine standoffs between U.S. and Russian forces in northeastern Syria, typically with the Americans seeking to block the passage of Russia's patrols into certain areas under the control of the U.S.-backed predominantly Kurdish Syrian Democratic (SDF) forces. A fistfight reportedly broke out between American and Russian troops in January, but this specific incident remains unconfirmed.

Russia has been conducting these activities in northeastern Syria since October 2019, when officials and Moscow and Ankara cut a deal creating a buffer zone along the Syrian-Turkish border. This followed a unilateral Turkish military intervention into northern Syria, primarily aimed at ejecting the SDF from the region.

There was also a report on Feb. 9, 2020, that U.S. forces had begun building a new, semi-permanent outpost in the city of Hasakah, a major hub and capital of the province of the same name, roughly 45 miles southwest of Qamishli. That comes amid major questions about the U.S. military's force posture in Syria, as a whole, and the future of the American military's presence there.

The skirmish near Qamishli also comes as Turkish forces and their local partners increasingly find themselves in open conflict with pro-Assad forces in western Syria. The regime in Damascus has launched a new offensive to retake the province of Idlib, the last remaining major rebel stronghold, which has also precipitated a new humanitarian disaster. Turkey has complained about Russia's unwillingness or inability to prevent this Syrian military operation, which authorities in Ankara say violates its deal with Moscow. At least 13 Turkish troops have died in Syrian artillery strikes in February alone, according to the Associated Press.

“The United States once again condemns the continued, unjustifiable, and ruthless assaults on the people of Idlib," U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Feb. 4, following an attack by pro-Assad forces on a Turkish outpost in Syria. "We stand by our NATO ally Turkey in the aftermath of the attack, which resulted in the death of multiple Turkish personnel serving at an observation post used for coordination and de-escalation, and fully support Turkey’s justified self-defense actions in response."

However, on Feb. 11, National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien indicated that the U.S. government would not seek to intervene in the brewing conflict. “What are we supposed to do to stop them? We’re supposed to be a global policeman and hold up a sign and say stop this Turkey, stop this Russia?” he said on CBS's Face the Nation.

All told, the situation on the ground in Syria looks as complex and multi-faceted as ever. The skirmish near Qamishli and the number of different actors involved only underscore the inherent risks of these ostensibly minor altercations in the country spiraling out of control and turning into larger and more serious conflicts.

UPDATE: 3:45pm EST

Russia has claimed that a 14-year-old boy died in the incident and that another was wounded.


"One local resident was wounded. Another resident – a 14-year-old boy – was killed," Russian Major General Yury Borenkov, the head of the Russian government's Center for Syrian Reconciliation, said in a daily briefing. "Only thanks to the efforts of the Russian servicemen, who arrived at the site of the incident, it was possible to prevent a further escalation of the conflict with the locals and to ensure the exit of the U.S. military convoy in the direction of a U.S. base in near the village of Khimo in Haseke province."

Local Syrian media has named the individual who reportedly died as Faisal Khalid Al Bari, but does not appear to have given his age.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has also challenged the Russian assertion that its forces were instrumental in defusing the situation. "Today’s incident did not involve the Russians," he told reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, where he is attending a meeting of senior defense officials from around the Alliance.

Reuter's News site version of the incident:
U.S.-led coalition says troops returned fire in northeast Syria
A warplane flew over a village in northeast Syria on Wednesday (February 12) following reports by Syrian and Turkish media that at least one air strike was carried out by U.S. jets. Lauren Anthony reports.
The U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State militants said its troops opened fire on Wednesday at a checkpoint in northeast Syria after they came under small arms fire.

Russia accuses Turkey of breaking Syria deals, rejects Erdogan claim
Russia on Wednesday accused Turkey of flouting agreements it had made with Moscow on Syria and of aggravating the situation in Idlib where Syrian forces have made gains in their campaign to eliminate the last insurgent bastion in a nine-year-old war.

Turkish delegation will visit Moscow to discuss Syria's Idlib: minister
A Turkish delegation will go to Moscow in coming days to discuss the escalating conflict in Syria's Idlib region, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Wednesday, adding that around 1 million people had been displaced there due to Russian-backed Syrian attacks.
 
A report on the American version ... the incident had occurred at a checkpoint near the town of Qamishli, right on the Syrian-Turkish border in Syria's northeastern corner. The above report states "one U.S.A. serviceman was lost" but the American version is, ""one U.S. Soldier had a minor superficial scratch while operating their equipment"- a possible cover up?

Jets Fly Show Of Force During Gunfight Between US And Syrian Troops At Checkpoint (Updated) February 12, 2020
Jets Fly Show Of Force During Gunfight Between US And Syrian Troops At Checkpoint (Updated)

Yes indeed, there was a cover up but to carry out the shooting thermal traps for deceiving the Russian air defense.

(Google Translate)
American fighters attempted to deceive the Russian air defense of northern Syria
2020-02-14
 
Here an interesting article of the 12th of February by Mike Whitney in the Unz Review about the explosive situation that is developing in Idlib province where the Syrian army is conducting a major offensive that has triggered a harsh response from Turkey.

Some excerpts:
"Simply put, Turkey has not kept up its end of the bargain and cleared the area of al Qaida elements who still operate openly in Idlib and who still receive support from the Turkish state. After multiple warnings and delays, Syria and its ally Russia decided that they’d have to put an end to Erdogan’s subterfuge and take action themselves which is clearly permitted under international law. Since the operation began some two weeks ago, the Syrian Army has liberated a number of strategic cities in the area as well as the primary transport corridor, the M-4 and M-5 highways.

In response, Turkey has “joined al-Qaeda-linked militants in their attack on positions of the Syrian Army (in) Idlib.

Turkey’s determination to annex large parts of Syria’s northern territory has not wavered since 2015 when the government first announced its support for a plan to impose “safe zones” (35 km deep) along the 911 km Syrian-Turkish border. The plan succeeded east of the Euphrates River when Turkish troops invaded earlier in the year claiming that the Kurdish militia, YPG, posed a threat to Turkey’s national security. The attempt to seize more Syrian land west of the Euphrates, invoking the threat of “humanitarian disaster”, suggests that Turkey will use any bogus pretext to achieve its strategic objectives. Fortunately, Putin has not been hoodwinked by Erdogan’s shifting justifications for the seizure of Syrian territory. The Russian-Syrian forces continue to move deeper into the province routing or killing the remaining pockets of armed militants in their path.

Putin is looking for ways to diffuse the situation and strike a deal with Erdogan, but it’s not going to be easy. Putin has already taken a minimalist approach to Syrian conflict, that is, he is committed to liberating areas that are vital to the preservation of the state, but he’s not going to go out on a limb and undermine Russia’s interests by launching attacks on US bases in east Syria or starting a war with Erdogan in the west. By the same token, Putin cannot allow himself to be manipulated by a scheming opportunist like Erdogan who wants to shrug off his agreements because they no longer serve his regional ambitions. Putin would like to meet the Turkish president halfway and allow him to maintain troops in a safe zone further north, but he won’t cave in and give Erdogan everything he wants. Putin is reasonable, but he’s no pushover as Erdogan is likely to find out.

Syrian president Bashar al Assad needs Idlib to reunite the country and to connect Latakia and Aleppo to Damascus. Putin needs Idlib to end his commitment in Syria and to provide a model for preserving threatened nation-states from destabilizing regime change operations. And Erdogan needs Idlib to extend Turkey’s power to territories it once controlled but lost following the post-WW1 imperialist carve up. Add to this toxic clash of interests the recent announcements by Washington and NATO that they support Erdogan’s efforts in Idlib, and the prospects for disaster increase exponentially.

Pompeo expressed that the US stands by Turkey and Israel launched a missile attack on Damascus on the 11th of Feb.
Clearly, the western powers are eager to take advantage of the emerging crisis and stir up as much trouble as possible.

Turkey’s real objective is to annex Syrian territory in the north and expand its own borders to the south, a clear case of territorial aggression. We don’t think Putin is going to put up with this."

An explosive situation indeed
 
Back
Top Bottom