A temporary truce between rebel factions in Syria’s Idlib Province has seen al-Qaeda trying to shore up massive gains over the last week by sending reinforcements, and Turkey’s rebel allies looking to defend likely targets when the truce ends.
Turkey’s military is also very active on their side of the border with Idlib, with a large convoy arriving Friday. This convoy included commando units and armored vehicles which are being positioned close to the border.
The Turkish military would only refer to this as a troop rotation in the area, and refused questions on whether it was part of a plan to operate inside Idlib and try to stop al-Qaeda from making any further gains.
There have been reports from the rebels that Turkey is in secret negotiations with the al-Qaeda forces in the area, and this might also be a negotiating tactic. With Turkey promising to invade eastern Syria, they probably won’t want a second front at Idlib. That said, they probably don’t want to see existing rebel territory, protected in intense negotiations with Russia, overrun outright by al-Qaeda.
Turkish move into Idlib would likely bring it into direct confrontation with the Syrian army – and Russia. The pattern of history is clear: nations eventually get the war they are desperate to avoid. The conflict in Syria was not only regional consequences, but global ones.
https://www.ghostsofhistory.wordpress.com/
The wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya were all wars that weren’t attempted to be avoided, but wars that were sought.
Not true. Syrian and Turkish/Turkish rebel forces have been next to each ither ever since Turkey cut the corridor Jarabulys-Al-Bab. Hopefully we will remember the battle for Al-Bab where Khrds actually helloed ISIS against Turks. Turkey suffered losses there, accusing US overflights of providing intelligence to ISIS. It came down to Russian intelligence, as well as Russian airforce flying joint mission with Turkish planes to finally overtake Al -Bab. Kurds in Manbij were aftaid of Turkish backed rebels bejng so close, that they invited Syrian army to take over region adjacent to Manbij. Turkey was pleased with that outcome. Ever since bith Turkish army, Tukish backed rebels and Syrian Army are sharing the common adjacent area. This is why YPG in Manbij was able to give up part of Manbij to Syrian army. And made a big deal out if it.
How do they tell one head-chopper from another? Does al-CIAda have a secret handshake while the FSA is distinguished by their Israeli-supplied heavy weaponry? Must be confusing.
You are so right. The gains HTS made was at the expense of Al-Zinki group that split of from HTS presumably in May, accepted Turkush imposed leadership, uniform, etc. But remained in demiliterized zone! Likely story. I followed up kn Al-Zinki group ever since they were CIA armed, and since they signed the deal with HTS in Aleppo. They are known for making a video if decapitated a boy, while poir child looked around hopeful that he was filmed and no harm would happen. This image us still haunting me. This nasty group must still be an asset, and it appears that they coordinated with their Al-Qaeda partners, letting them overrun part of demiliterized zone, catching unawares other groups that were relaxed and nit prepared. Al-Zinki — it appears, dissapeared in Afrin, Kurdish territor under Turkish occupation. But Turkey does not have heavy forces there, so it will be easy for them to find ex-YPG to be shielded.
The only reason that nobody is biting — is not to give excuse to neocon international media to foment story of “attricities” by whoever against poor rebels. So, looks like prevention and negotiation. One can expect provocations, Nethaniahu style. Let us just hope they do not cause a civilian plane coming down, and kicking iff another round of Russia did it.
Not exactly stable times, as withdrawal
from Syria is heavily contested — as symbolic as the number is, the udea of Kurds controlling Euphrates valley and Iraqi/Turkish border is a dream come true to Israel. Letting it go is a serious blow. But what is not yet sinking in — Iranian agenda is sinking. Syria — no matter how low the entanglement — kept the hope alive.
Interesting observations; it doesn’t make sense for the Idlib DAESH to attack Turkey, as Turkey is all that stands in the way of Idlib being finished by Russia and Assad.
On the other hand, there’s Lieutenant-Colonel Ralph Peters ‘Armed Forces Journal’ – June 2006, map remaking the Middle East with a Kurdistan that includes half of Turkey. American Kurdistan in Syria is so far the only element to fall into place, and seems to be far larger then even Col/ Peters envisioned.
https://www.globalresearch. ca/plans-for-redrawing-the-middle-east-the-project-for-a-new-middle-east/3882
What price might NATO pay to see this through, given that it may be the last chance for a while?
In theory, a well-coordinated DAESH strike into Turkey succeed where the Gulen attempted coup did not.