The US on Monday carried out an airstrike near Idlib in northwest Syria, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).
While President Biden has bombed Syria, this appears to be the first US airstrike in northwest Syria since he’s assumed office. CENTCOM claims the strike targeted a “senior al-Qaeda leader” and that “initial indications” show the US hit the individual it was targeting.
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the strike hit a vehicle carrying a militant from one of the radical groups in the region and killed at least one person. The Observatory didn’t name the group but said it was affiliated with al-Qaeda.
Starting in 2019, the US has carried out several drone strikes in northwest Syria against Hurras al-Din, an al-Qaeda-affiliated militia. Hurras al-Din is an offshoot and rival of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), another al-Qaeda affiliate that is the dominant faction in Idlib.
Idlib is essentially under Turkish protection, and the US tacitly endorses HTS by supporting Turkey in Syria. In recent years, HTS has gained favorable coverage by Western media despite its al-Qaeda affiliation. The favorable press is due partially to the fact that HTS has fought against Hurras al-Din.
I thought they were all “moderate rebels?!” NPR may have to revisit Idlib again to polish the Al-Qaida turd some more. No one with an ounce of critical thinking believed the first NPR interview with the Al-Qaida “recovering terrorist” leader.
How many kids this time?..
Be patient. A time will come.
How many
kids
ya gonna get
this time mf?
my lai?
kabul?
saigan?
wtf?
does even anyone
doing this
going on
does anyone know?
whos in charge of our asainations
hits
in lands you have no right to be
let alone
killin in the name
of whatever…
“strike targeted a “senior al-Qaeda leader” and that “initial indications” show the US hit the individual it was targeting”
Another “leader” and a “senior” one at that. Anyone keeping score? I swear there have been more claims of offing al Qaeda leaders than there were original al Qaeda members.
Idlib’s terrorist community is complicated Washington arms and funds some and bombs others.
It is not complicated. Protects HTS, bombs any defectors. This time it can be just regular tribal leaders in Idlib, who are rejecting HTS pressure to align with HRS politically against Damascus.
But this is their last card — not easy any mire to supply HTS,
What a jumble! As if we know nothing about Syria.
Biden is talking a page from Obama ISIS playbook. Always killing some senior leaders!
HTS is an outfit created and funded by UK and US. We supported them as Al-Nusra Front when they were occupying part of Aleppo and committed unspeakable crimes against population kept hostage. Our government and press lionized them. Declaring population to be on their side, when in fact people survived unspeakable ordeal. After that, on advice of mentors and financiers — they changed name to HTS! A clean break!
White Helmets were provided for their use. Now, reports from Jordan indicate that White Helmets were evacuated to Germany.
The fantastic story begins here. Idlib is under protection of Turkey!
To get the record straight— HTS is declared a terrorist organization in Turkey.
HTS was blackmailing Turkey with refugees, if any action was undertaken by anyone against HTS.
Turkey and Russia coordinated Idlib operations to the last detail,
First, Turkey moved in to seal the border. Second, Syrian Army and Russia pushed HTS past M4 highway, for the first time removing threat to Aleppo Airport.
Third, Turkey and Russia got control of M5 highway, cutting HRS territory. And patrolling it as necessary.
Fourth, Turkey coopted few more groups to abandon HTS and to accept serving in Turkey’s militia.
US has on several occasions bombed HTS defectors. Once, even bombed a jail where HRS imprisoned their opponents. Long, long history.
Do you know what HTS is up to? Now they are actually trying to get Idlib clan leaders to accept HTS leadership and force Syrian government into negotiating with Idlib for special status.
But so far, not doing well. All HTS has over them is is the control of aid that UN is delivering through Turkey. This is the only way to prevent Syrian government have control over distribution,
US has been sanctioning Turkey for a while now, not just military sales. All sorts of imports have been curtailed — down to rugs made in Turkey. A well coordinated media campaign has been launched against Turkey, focused on media markets where it can bear fruit — like countries occupied by former Ottoman Empire, still nursing historical grievances.
But this is a new one. Hinting that Turkey is sn accomplice in supporting HTS.
Now the real question is — why do we support and shield HTS. Perhaps because peace cannot be allowed in Syria.