A rebel faction in the northern Hama Province, which mostly has fought to capture villages populated by religious minorities in the area, has announced that they are withdrawing from the Turkey-Russia ceasefire today, blaming Russia for a “lack of commitment.”
The ceasefire has largely been holding, and the rebels involved in the Astana peace talks agreed to extend the ceasefire just days prior. Previously, there had been arguments about whether or not al-Qaeda’s Nusra Front was a party to the ceasefire, as Syrian forces kept attacking them.
This appears to have been resolved with the text of the ceasefire confirming Nusra was never intended to be part of the deal, and Nusra attacking rebels who went to the peace talks on the grounds that they were “conspiring” against them.
It’s unclear exactly where Jaish al-Ezza, the rebel faction that withdrew, stands in the ongoing fighting between the anti-Nusra coalition that formed last week and Nusra’s own coalition, which formed yesterday, but being at least a little bit south of the Idlib Province allows them to play both sides without being directly involved.
This group withdrawing from ceasefire is not much of a loss. This is one of the two thst peeled off from Ahrar Al-Sham to join Al-Nusra. It is hard to say why they split. Some say it is because Al-Nusra beat them, so it was not so voluntary. Others say that as a rather small group with outsized expectations and did not get much respect within Ahrar Al-Sham. Whatever the case from the perspective of their new employer -it is always profitable to blame Russia.
I just do not get the mainstream media games. Why do not they say — Al-Qaeda should have the right to participate in the cease fire. Instead, they wonder, and question and are confused. But this has been the longest rule –ever since the days of John Kerry –that Al-Nusra under whatever name is not part of cease fire. Now — Al-Nusra is at it again.
This time –very elaborate. Al-Nusra has DISBANDED. With its three alied groups and teo additional from Ahrar Al-Sham — a new group was formed. There! It is NOT just renaming, but disbanding and reconstituting. I am yet to learn new name.
However, other groups are small to make any impact on the ultimate control.
As far as minorities are concerned — Al-Nusra has in their romp over Idlib overrun a largest Christian village in Idlib. Their fate not immediatelly clear.
Correct. The point of excluding Nusra is to force the other rebel groups to make a choice if they are Al Qaeda or willing to be part of a Democratic Syria. I wish the knuckleheads in the MSM would understand this and stop snarling at the Russians.
The best way to preserve this ceasefire and advance peace talks would be to launch an offensive at Idlib. If Nusra and her allies lose on the battlefield, it will make it easier for the other rebels to split away from them. The Russians got this on 100% right.
Every day before you come to this site you need to check out the real facts as they are happening at RT.
Let me know if you learn anything.
Sorry, did not notice your comment before. Actually, RT is a poor source of information on Syria. They have good documentaries. If you are looking for a good source, try Al-Masdar News — for basic blow-by-blow. Like any other source that is trying to be current, one has to follow carefully. Because in the matter of hours, some forces advance, just to lose the positions they just won, etc. But it is a very good and quality information.
Another one is actually very different, as its source are actually our military men and women. Site is called Moon of Alabama. Their knowledge of who is who, is phenomenal.
They catch also all the deceptions, like a deception that some groups were fighting each other in Idlib. It was a ruse. It is also a deceptive game between Syria and Turkey. Syria one day approves Turkish actions, and another day is complaining about Turkey. This is necessary in order to get some of the groups that are very much anti-Assad to cooperate with Turkey. Too much closeness between Turkey and Damascus, was seen as detrimental. Turkey must have control over them, but not if they do not trust Turkey. Too many games of shadows. And hard to keep it all straight. Moon of Alabama is best, as they send corrections about anything new they find.
The Syrian rebels have always been worms in a can. They may be separate, but separating them and understanding them while still in the can is beyond mortals.
They’re receiving more energy and new commitment from the US.
https://www.rt.com/news/375797-syria-group-vehicles-trump/
That’s clearly what’s happening If any Trump supporters were ever antiwar then they’ve misunderstood what he promised them. Not to even have to mention that he’s promised everything and then the opposite too.