Turkish officials are ruling out any redeployment of troops in Syria after reports that Syrian troops opened fire on a Turkish observation post in Syria’s northern Idlib Province. There were no casualties.
Turkish officials say they’re taking the matter seriously, since they’ve
propped up 12 observation posts in Idlib under previous deals, with an
eye toward propping up rebel forces in the region.
After a Turkey-brokered ceasefire failed, because al-Qaeda didn’t honor
it, Syria launched a new offensive, and has been pushing al-Qaeda out of
some strategically important areas. Turkey had a military convoy headed
into those newly contested areas targeted by an airstrike.
With Syrian forces now controlling Khan Sheikhoun, a small town on a big
highway, Turkey doesn’t have a direct route to its post in nearby
Morek. Turkey is ruling out leaving, but is setting themselves up for a
fight with Syria over Idlib.
That may be a tough fight, with Turkish-backed rebels having already
lost most of Idlib, and al-Qaeda neither widely supported, nor
historically very eager to cooperate with other factions. Turkey’s
determination to stay in these areas will eventually run up against
their ability to supply posts deep in Syrian territory while being
militarily hostile to Syria.
Kill them all.
Putin will make Erdogan abandon Idlib and all NW Syria.
A Huge Shipment of Captagon was nabbed by Syrian cops on its way to Salafi-Jihadi controlled territory just prior to their collapse in Khan Sheikun.
Coincidence? Haha. I bet the hordes of junkie jihadis going through potentially deadly withdrawals is not doing their combat capabilities any good and I’m certain it’s created a nightmare for their handlers…
Get the terrorist Turks out of Syria. Long live President Bashar al-Assad!
I would not worry about it — Turkey, Russia and Assad know exactly what they are doing.
The whole deal is totally misunderstood. We are the generation of memory fruit flies — and cannot keep up. Remember the reason for setting up Idlib checkpoints? Remember the global propaganda machine all geared up to talk up the atrocities that Syria and Russia were going to commit in Idlib? Remember Turkey taking a large number of militants —former CIA armed and trained, under its command? Inly Turkey could do that — not Syria nor Russia. Many of these militants were refugees from the time ISIS took a string of border towns between Turkey and Syria. Many were refugees after US helped Kurds take over Arab and Turkmen majority town Manbij. Turkey’s role is to stabilize border region and prevent various proxies take over, paving the way to US sponsored Kurd sweep. Second role Turkey has is to end smuggling to Idlib from Turkey’s PKK across Afrin to Idlib and Hama.
The checkpoints were set up to protect militants that went under Turkey command from Al-Nusra within Idlib. It was not always successful — some groups were bought back by money loaded Nusra. UK citizens are very generous, pouring White Helmets and cash. Now, Nusra is surrounded, but with cash — it attract marginal groups that went under Turkey to smuggle arms and other necessities. When we say TURKISH convoy was hit, we are saying a Turkish-affiliated group is double dealing, and smugling to Nusra.
Since appearances are key — Turkey will never criticize militants that it has under control, even if crooked. Same. goes with Damascus that never criticize Kurds — in spite of Kurds holding Syrian towns and villages against their will. And when Afrin YPG spurned the deal offered by Damascus and Russia — nobody moved. a finger when Turkey invaded Afrin and kicked out YPG. Same goes here — Turkey offered good deal to militants, and could represent them in settlement, but it is not going to move a finger when any one group it sponsored breaks the rules. You can bet in it — Turkey will say they are committed to checkpoints, but will not move a finger to defend smugglers. And as the belt is tightening over one segment of Idlib — let us see if US and UK have energy left to rekindle the passion against Russia bombing hospitals in Idlib.
With so many other things on ME chesboard right now, Idlib may have less of a propaganda value. Once corridors are open to population to escape the encirclement, terrorists have less leverage.
Turkey also has a bigger fish to fry in North-East, and slowly, Idlib may recede. It is only because of the cash rich sponsor that is still around. Good, let them spend. Something for local economy.
Turkey is going to run into Russia at some point – that’s their real problem. They won’t abandon their outposts until they get some deal made with Putin – probably to get him to get Assad to let them attack the Kurds in the east.
Little Syria bitch slaps the Sultan! Go on and hit em again, little sister. Feed big brother his baby teeth.