An unspecified number of French special forces troops have crossed the border into Syria’s Kurdish region Thursday, entering the town of Rmelan. The troops entered from positions they’d previously held in neighboring Iraq.
The exact size of the French military presence in Syria is unclear, but Turkish media report French troops are present at five separate military bases, all in northern Syria’s Kurdish territory. There are no French troops believed to be in the contested city of Manbij, however.
US Defense Secretary James Mattis praised French forces in comments to Congress, saying they’ve been bolstering US anti-ISIS operations in Syria for the past few weeks. He says the French are a big part of a “re-energized effort” to fight ISIS.
France’s substantial presence in Kurdish Rojava risks being a source of tension with Turkey. Turkey has been very public in its anger at the US for having troops in northern Syria, and President Erdogan has warned France not to make the same mistake the US has.
Turkey’s invasion of northern Syria has slowed in recent weeks, however, and despite a lot of talk of moving against the Kurds, and Western troops backing the Kurds, there’s been no sign of such an effort.
I would not place any importance to the “slow down”. First, there was a change in State Department, and each party is just repeating status quo ante. Second, Afrin is under control. The last fighying occured when some Syrian volunteer group
consisting of predominantly Kurdish volunteers attempted to move agajnst Turkish forces. That was resolved with Russian intervention. The period has been also interrupted by the “chemical attack”, followed by allied fireworks. The entry of French troups is still a mystery, as it is not clear if they will stay in Kurd populafed area, or just move into positions Kurds abandoned in order to bolster defence of Kobani area. US fkrces were left alone in vast Arab populated area — wbere neither Kurds or US are welcome. Bringing in French is a BAD idea. France once ruled Syria as a colonial master. During that period Kurds were heavy favorites, a typical colonial strategy to use minorities against majority. As Arabs are by far the majority population in the area US designated as “SDF” area, somebody is nexed to improve numbers. In fact globalists are not leaving a stone unturned — to prevent Trump from leaving Syria. This will only cause more tensions. Will US need to stay to protect the French?
The French have been calling in American protection since the ouster of Gaddafi.
Why stop now?
As a compromise it might not be such a bad idea if Assad allowed the Kurds some autonomy. Erdogan will not like that but I have a feeling that Syrian Kurds, which are in fact of course Syrians, are more inclined to back Assad, especially after his successful liberation of the western part of the country. Syrian Kurds will most certainly not back France, being the former colonial power, which may even make it worse for the US if it supports French Neo-colonialism in Kurdish Syria. The Kurds most certainly will rebel. Erdogan would in the long run be better of if in this respect, if he were to support Assad provided Assad is prepared to extend autonomy to the Syrian Kurds. It’s a matter of give and take to get out of an extremely complex situation. The Americans of course are not in Eastern Syria to fight ISIS, that’s only an excuse to stay there attempting balkanising the country.
Mattis praises Vichy forces: It’s time for Le Pen to establish a government in exile, like de Gaulle did.
W8 the French were already in Iraq?
“fighting ISIS”, yahp.
You can bet the French will continue to do their historical bang up job of involvement in the ME.
and they shall continue to reap the whirlwind.
Such a conundrum, in more ways than one, especially when progressives, so called, endorse US military intervention:
https://www.globalresearch.ca/chomsky-among-progressives-calling-for-us-military-involvement-in-syria/5638213
Chomsky could help the Syrian situation by keeping his idiotic opinions to himself. -DV
Mr. C is a national treasure for sure, however, one must remember that Chomp is a zionist; he would describe a “cultural” one, with a sweet spot in his heart for that racist entity called Israel. Although very critical of that shi–try little nation, he still protects it at every turn, blames all her actions ultimately on the US, opposes BDS for dubious reasons, and most importantly is the left/progressive gatekeeper on what is acceptable critique of Israel.
BD:
I do not consider Chomsky as a ‘National treasure’ but your points are well made with regard to Israel. best-dv
How does the word “quagmire” translate into French? Do they not remember Algeria or Vietnam?
Will killing Muslims in Middle Eastern Syria help their domestic terror problem?
Or does Macron merely want to posture as some kind of Gallic tough guy?
Reports coming in that Hama and Aleppo (Syria) have been hit by airstrikes, probably by Israel… Many dead and injured, mostly Iranians according to news reports.