Heavy fighting erupted over the weekend near the town of Ras al-Ayn, in northern Syria, where Turkish forces and Syrian government forces engaged in fighting. At least four Syrian soldiers were reported killed and several others wounded.
Heavy machine gun fire was reported in the area near the village of Um Shaifa, near the town. Turkish forces had captured the village last month, and Syrian forces seemed to be trying to slow Turkey’s advance.
The area around Ras al-Ayn is in dispute, as while it falls well within the 30 km “safe zone” claimed by Turkey, it was transferred from Kurdish control to the Syrian government before the invasion, meaning it’s not clear it was meant to be a target.
Turkish forces have termed the safe zone territory very loosely, with their allies attacking Kurds well deeper than 30 km, and Turkey willingly fighting with the Syrian government anywhere in the region.
I’m waiting for Putin to call Erdogan (and Assad) and put a stop to this nonsense.
You’re in for a long wait. Putin has sold his allies down the river for a song, and Erdogan only knows death metal.
Putin may not be concerned about his allies, but he is concerned about keeping Syria out of the hands of either the Turks, Al Qaeda, ISIS, and the US for Russia’s legitimate interests in the Middle East.
Heavy fighting was Kursk, Normandy, Stalingrad, and Gettysburg. This is just a little skirmish.
There was a previous such incident and afterwards it was rather clear that the conflict was caused by Syrian soldiers. All of whom were Kurds. It is actually not clear if they were Syrian soldiers or just wearing uniform.
Given that this was in Ras Al Ayn area, I suspect Kurds are involved. The role all three now have is clear —Turkey wants no Kurdish US- sponsored autonomy in its borders, and no Kurdish militants in whatever uniform in 30 km security zone with 10km being actually patrolled. Syrian Government is protecting Kurds, its citizens, from unauthorized incursions by Turkey. It is a key to political settlement that Kurds accept Damascus rule.
The deal between Turkey and Russia was accepted by Damascus, and even by Kurds by evacuating the zone and by letting Syria take over Kobane, Manbij and Raqqa.
American plan of waving money in front of Kurds, suggesting US further financing of Kurds in their demands for autonomy, as well as US threats to Turkey — emboldened Kurds again.
They are not afraid of Syria or Russia — as they know both of them cannot act against Kurds, the citizens. But they are afraid of Turkey, as it was clear from all other previous incursions (Jarabulus, Al-Bab, Afrin) that US will not want to confront Turkey, and that Damascus and Russia will not move a finger to help them. Unless Kurds accept Damascus, the game will go on. Turkey already showed this by chasing YPG practically to Raqqa.
I expect this conflict to involve Kurds as well. Russia and Turkey very clearly defined the areas and who controls them.
Syria is ALWAYS going to blame Turkey, as it must. It must be in the side of Kurds at all the times. This is the only way to make ordinary people, Kurds as citizens, think hard before trusting American guarantees again.
On the other hand, if YPG is involved in incidents with Turkish army — Russia must rethink just how much credence is given to YPG promises. The benefit of the doubt goes to Turkey in such incidents — as Syrian /Army has a line open to Russia to first determine what is going on, before attacking Turkish positions.
“Turkey’s advance?”
Is that just the same proxy forces Turkey let run from its territory for this whole war?
We need to be careful of claims. It is very confused, and deliberately so in most cases.
It was inevitable.
Thankfully the US has elected to sit this one out.