Syrian War Report – Dec. 28, 2018: YPG Invites Syrian Army To Manbij
On December 28, the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) released an official statement inviting the Damascus government to assert control of the areas, from which YPG units had allegedly withdrawn, in particular Manbij. The YPG added that the decision is caused by the Turkish threat and that the group will concentrate its efforts on combating ISIS.
Syrian troops reportedly started entering the town of Manbij in the morning of the same day.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) have continued concentrating troops and military equipment near the Syrian border. According to fresh reports, the TAF has deployed at least 10 M60T battle tanks and several armored vehicles in the province of Kilis.
On December 27, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced the reopening of the country’s embassy in the Syrian capital of Damascus. Abdul Hakim al-Nuaimi was appointed as the UAE’s charge d’affaires in Damascus.
The reopening of the UAE embassy in Syria is another important step in the framework of the broader efforts of the Damascus government to restore its role in the region. Furthermore, this confirms that the UAE sees the Assad government as a legitimate government of Syria. This is something what the UAE’s key ally, the US, has repeatedly challenged by its statements and actions.
Russian companies are reportedly planning to construct an airport in the city of Tartus, as well as joint Syrian-Russian plant to produce vaccines within a framework of agreements signed during the 11th session of the Syrian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission held on December 14th in Damascus. Other notable bilateral projects include rebuilding the car tires’ factory and construction of a new cement plant.
Happy New Year to Syria!
“Diplomacy is War in a dress suit.” Syria and Allies have fought a long war against enormous odds, also played the long game in Diplomacy – and won in both.
SAA is already in Manbij. Good source says Russia is working with SAA to escort foreign troops out of the city and the area. That would be the US and French troops there. Apparently Turkei has been told not to attack in to Syria.
Auslander
Bahrain the latest Arab nation to re-engage with Syria as it reopens embassy in Damascus
https://www.rt.com/news/447603-bahrain-embassy-damascus-open/
“The Bahraini embassy in Damascus is open again, the Gulf nation announced on Friday, a day after a similar move by the UAE. It seems Saudi Arabia and its allies are ready to acknowledge Syria’s victory in the war.”
Meanwhile:
Syrian Army ‘raises flag’ in country’s Kurdish province for 1st time since start of civil war
https://www.rt.com/news/447572-syrian-forces-enter-manbij/
“Damascus says it has deployed troops to the city of Manbij, the focal point of a tense standoff between Kurds and Turkey, as the government continues attempts to reassert control over the strategic border area in Syria’s north.
Just how far-reaching the Syrian deployment is and if it’s taking place at all is yet to be confirmed by other sources, as is the Syrian Army troops’ arrival in the city proper.
Skeptical over the statement from Damascus, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the “flag-raising” a “psychological action.” He, however, acknowledged that there would be no need for the Turkish Army op in Manbij if the Kurds pull out of the city.”
I wonder if this strategy will work throughout the Syrian northeast. The turks threaten, the kurds then ask to rejoin Syria. The turks then say: “well, no need for us to invade now”.
Russia defends Syria’s decision to allow Iranian advisers inside country
https://mobile.almasdarnews.com/article/russia-defends-syrias-decision-to-allow-iranian-advisers-inside-country/
The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said during a press briefing on Thursday that Syria has the right to choose which foreign advisers they will allow inside their country.
“Syria is a sovereign state and it has the right to decide on the presence of foreign military advisers,” Zakharova said on Thursday.
Zakharova addressed the issue of Iranian advisers in Syria after she was asked about Israel’s demands regarding the withdrawal of these military personnel.
“The issue should be decided according to Iranian and Syria mutual agreements,” Zakharova added.”
IE: israel, and your pindo lap dog, take your demands and stick ’em where the moon don’t shine.
Yes, the US is – ostensibly – pulling out of Syria. If it does, then the question is why. Perhaps because US troops are in a dangerous tactical piosition, their supply lines running the risk of being cut off ? Perhaps because the US wants Syria and Turkey to be drawn into a military conflict, forcing Ankara to turn back to the US ? A combination of both ? Third possibility: US troops pulled to Iraq for a potential attack against Iran ? We shall see during 2019.
B. F. Do you think perhaps this has more to do with Trump’s domestic electoral agenda, re playing to his base?
“All politics is local.”
— Speaker Tip O’Neill
The part of this that has been quickly forgotten has been the Trump closed a multi-billion dollar arms deal with Erdogon and Turkey. The agreement to withdraw from Syria appears to have been a part of the same conversation and negotiation. IIRC, Turkey is also a future customer of the flying turkey known as the F-35, and that deal seems more solid now as well.
The real power in America is not the voters. But Ike’s Military Industrial Complex is one of the real powers. And Trump just closed billions of dollars worth of deals for them, and helped solidify more in the future. Remember, the money from those arms deals does not go to the US treasury, but instead its paid to the corporations that make the instruments of war and death. Regardless of what they might think of Syria, those executives are toasting champagne over the big new sales orders. Just in time for the end of quarter reports.
And since that same Military Industrial Complex owns a lot of Senators and their votes, to the extent that the money would keep enough of those Senators from voting with the Democrats (who they also own) on an impeachment verdict would indeed help solidify Trump’s hold on power. And if Trump is already thinking ahead to the 2020 campaign, which any politician would be, then he could well be remembering how the crowds cheered when he said the regime change wars were all a big mistake and how he’d get out of Syria. Trump has a rather short list of things he can brag about, unless he wants to get the crowd cheering at the mention of the names of the 8 year old immigrant children that he has killed.
Snow Leopard
Up to a point it has. The illusion of delivering on promisses. However, don’t forget that Trump is surrounded by neocons, and I am not too optimistic that he will really deliver his election promisses.
BF, you are correct in saying “… forcing Ankara to turn back to the US …”. Tramp’s move is not for domestic consumption, he has one more year to work on that one. Trump needs Turkey on his side, because at this moment he is actively using his navy to keep Turkish navy away from the Cyprus/Israel oil fields. Also, he does not want Turkey to mess with US’s pipeline project. Kurds are just chum change, so since the plans changed they are being put aside for now. Russia is the enemy which “must” be destroyed. I wish that Russia’s 5th column stopped dreaming about Putin-Trump meeting in near future. Trump knows that Putin is above any “Trump magic” so he will simply avoid one-on-one with Putin. Putin will make a full of him again.
While we are on the subject of Russia’s destruction, check this wonderful article:
https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2018/12/28/today-as-200-years-ago-cest-toujours-la-meme-chose.html
Anonius
I read that link. Yes, Napoleon was not impressed with his ambassador, as he did not understand Russia. Then again, neither he nor those who financed him understood Russia. Same thing with Hitler. He too did not undertsnad Russia, nor those who backed him financially. Napoleon fails, as does Hitler. NATO takes over. It too does not understand Russia, nor those who finance it. There is always a possibility of a NATO-Russia confrontation. However, I think NATO will probably collapse financially and politically before it ever starts a wider war. We shall see.
History shows there is only one reason for an army to withdraw troops. Only one.
Tragic how the “Enlightened Republic” (USA) was/is what it began as: “Colony of England”.
Voltairenet.org in Damascas reports a very positive story about Syria, too, Saker.
Israel’s hell inflicted since WWII (Balfour Decision, via England) is not going to be accepting of the newer world order.
Food is a great idea since humans hunted and gathered. Russia understands. Once the “Breadbasket” is again that truth. China and Russia Et Al are not going to accept the western model of barbaric.
Now we go as in the I Ching, in the spring crossing the ice is a dangerous adventure for the young fox.
It’s very plausible that the unfolding events are a result of the high level negotiations and strategy employed by the Russia, Syria Turkey and Iran. Turkeys threatening posture in the north sending the Kurds into the embrace of the Syrian Army. As Erdogan said, no need to move in if Kurds give up on their ambitions and thus the SDF/PKK affiliated threat (Kurdistan) on it’s underbelly is minimised which was and is essentially a Zionist sponsored project aimed at destabilising the 4 nations it borders, not to mention a land route leading to the Mediterranean, clearly to the detriment of the region including Russia. As in Afrin, Russia gave them the option of seceding to the Syrian Govt which they rejected and a green light was clearly given to Turkey to foil said ambitions.
Cannot see Turkey wanted to invade Syria if this threat is removed and undo it’s position of importance and stability in the region including within the Astana meetings. Turkey must recognise Russia as a strategic partner and the new power in the region (arguably globally) specifically. It would be quite foolish to ever trust the US again especially after a coup attempt and a potential existential threat it created as a so called ally.
A
“It would be quite foolish to ever trust the US again especially after a coup attempt and a potential existential threat it created as a so called ally.”
Also given the hostility of israel, the israeli role in trying to create “kurdistan” and that the usa is now a defacto israeli colony.
Trump’s “withdrawal” from Syria is designed to sow conflict between Russia, Iran, Syria on the one hand and Turkey on the other by baiting the latter to invade parts of Syria–and thus destabilize that nation.
This is a classic Anglo-American geopolitical tactic: when retreating from one of their occupied territories, attempt to destabilize it as you leave.
Hopefully, Turkey (with some encouragement from Russia and Iran) won’t fall for this American bait.
Trump is Leaving Behind a Trap for Russia, Turkey, and Iran in Syria
https://ejmagnier.com/2018/12/24/trump-is-leaving-behind-a-trap-for-russia-turkey-and-iran-in-syria/
US helicopters spotted over Manbij as Turkish forces enter Syria (VIDEOS)
https://www.rt.com/news/447634-manbij-kurds-turkey-us-syria/
“Earlier on Friday, Damascus had said that its troops were sent to Manbij, after the Kurdish YPG militias asked for rescue from a looming Turkish military operation.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has refused to believe the Syrian statement, brushing it aside as just a “psychological action.”
Later in the day, the Turkish military crossed into Syrian territory at the border town of Jarablus in the province of Aleppo. Footage by RT’s Ruptly video agency showed several convoys of Ankara’s armored personnel carriers making their way through streets.
In another video two aircraft, believed to be US Army helicopters, are seen patrolling the area.”
Elijah Magnier reported, “Today we can confirm President Trump is serious about withdrawal troops from occupied province of al Hasaka-Deir Ezzor. The Kurds are returning to Syria and therefore rejecting the USA and France.” Russia coordinated with Turkey for control of Syrian army over Manbij. No doubt Friday’s rapid developments will further frustrate pro-interventionist pundits who were enraged at Trump’s announced troop pullout; it now appears peace and stability may be fast returning to Syria quicker than expected.
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-12-28/us-troops-out-syrian-army-manbij-handed-back-damascus-turkey-poised-invade
Another great day for Syria. There have been many of those recently, and many, many more to come. Long live Syria!
Christmas 2018: Iran and Syria show respect, Israel and Saudi Arabia don’t
https://www.rt.com/op-ed/447671-christmas-iran-syria-israel-saudis/
“This year in Damascus though, the festive celebrations were defiled by another act of aggression against Syria from a Western-supported-country, one which incidentally Ian Austin and John Woodcock have been Parliamentary ‘Friends’ of.
On the evening of December 25, loud explosions could be heard seven miles from the center of Damascus. Russia’s Defense Ministry said that Israel’s Christmas Day F-16 strikes endangered two civilian flights – as well as injuring three personnel at the logistics compound.
Whatever your stance is on Middle Eastern affairs – and leaving aside the illegality of the operation whenever it took place – the question is: did Israel really have to bomb Syria on Christmas Day?
Would Israel’s ’security’ have been lessened if the raid had taken place on December 28 and not the 25th?
Respecting Christmas and what it stands for is an important litmus test, as it tells us a lot about the actors involved, especially if they are not themselves Christians.
The ‘monstering’ of those who do show the proper ‘Yuletide spirit’, and the turning of a blind eye to those that don’t, highlights the spectacular hypocrisy of those in power in the West who profess to support ‘Christian values’ but in fact do everything possible to subvert them.”
Kremlin Confirms Information on Syrian Army Taking Control of Manbij
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201812291071090930-kremlin-control-manbij/
“On Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan brushed off the report on Manbij passing under the Syrian government’s control as a “psychological operation”, saying that “there is nothing definite yet”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Saturday the information that the Syrian government’s forces had taken control of the city of Manbij was true.”
Smoke Over Rukban: Militants Possibly Burning Bodies to Hide Crimes – Source
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201812291071094627-rukban-atrocities-smoke-bodies/
“Russia has accused the US on multiple occasions of harbouring militants and terrorists in the areas adjacent to the Al-Tanf base.
A military-diplomatic source has told Sputnik that heavy smoke has recently been seen near the Rukban refugee camp situated near the Al-Tanf US military base. According to the source, it could be a sign that militants, “harboured by the US military” have intensified their activities following the announcement of the impending US pull-out.
The source believes that these militants could be burning bodies of the diseased camp inhabitants, who died of illnesses and famine because they failed to receive humanitarian aid shipments. He also suggested that international humanitarian and human right organisations will be spending years, sorting out the “legacy” of the US stay in Syria.”
Just saw a clip from FSA “near Manbij”. The spokesman said the FSA will take Manbij and not the Assad forces.
If so, it will be the end of those FSA forces. These are the Turks’ cannon fodder Erdogan is using to test Russia and Syria. What will happen is a a warning from Russia, maybe a phone call from a Russian general, and then the FSA will get crushed. As they did most of the war.
The Kurds know it’s all over but the shouting. Erdogan thinks he can continue his geo-gyrations.
Erdogan is hoping there is a role for him in the Syrian political solution.
There is no role for Turkey in Syria.
If he tries to carve out enclaves in areas the US held, he will lose badly.
The Turkish delegation to Moscow must be having a tough time with their Boss. They know what the Russians are dictating. They just can’t get Erdogan to stay inside agreements. Like Idlib which Turkey is not doing anything to rid the province of the tens of thousands of al Nusra, ISIS, AQ and Uyghur terrorists. Erdogan thinks this will be his de facto Turkish protectorate inside Syria, or eventually Turkish property pulled inside Turkey.
It won’t be. It will be the final battle zone. It is here that the UK and France will assist Turkey to resist Russian and Syrian forces from liquidating the huge proxy force of jihadists. They all will lose when Russia and Syria begin their Idlib operations.
Small sample of what is ahead now plays out in Manbij. It can be a peaceful, negotiated handover from Kurds to Syria. Or it can be war.
If war, Turkey will lose its proxies. Erdogan should be converting the non-psychotic ones into a counter-force to fight Kurdish separatists and terrorists from inside Turkey. That will be a fight that will be there for decades.
Dreaming that he will have any proxies left by summer is wishful.
The decision of the Arab League to patch things up with Assad indicates finances to pay for jihadist operations against Assad is gone. Turkey and Qatar are the only source (with a little from CIA and maybe Israel). Basically, the Idlib situation is an orphan.
Erdogan is addicted to testing Putin and the Russian MOD.
He is going to learn a hard lesson again. Soon.
The Kurds were abandoned by Trump. So was Erdogan. Without US leverage inside Syria, Russia and Iran will assist Assad to take everything inside his borders. And Erdogan will lose it all. He gets nothing.
Interestingly bolton and pompous are silent
They are shifting gears to Latin America and Africa.
Bolton wants to overthrow Venezuela’s Maduro government. (Using Colombia and Brazil’s armed forces).
Africa is where the US wants to blunt Russia and China’s “encroachments”.
Plenty of chaos and hell to prepare.
Brazillian army can’t be used in an offense campaign.
It’s against the constitution!
This is their thinking for sure but they just don’t know Brazil.
Forget about Brazil being used. Bolsonaro will have trouble to control foreign affairs here. Itamaraty is a state inside the State.
CIA number 1 asset Josse Serra is there and the production is zero.
They’ve anticipate this move…
Just to add(modern please merge comment)….
Venezuela could be a good problem for them to take out.
Colombia is not strong enough, that’s why they are counting with Brazil but like I said, cant be used there.
So, what will they do?
Another aspect is, an external agression could lead to a total unification of Venezuela people around its government.
It could erode the thin control they do have in the entire region.
Huge risk!
Since they do not control Equador, Uruguay and Bolivia , this move could backfire!
US troops withdraw from first base in Syria – report
https://www.rt.com/news/447678-us-withdrawal-syria-begins/
“Some 50 US soldiers left in Hummer armored vehicles and military trucks, leaving behind an empty 400-square-meter warehouse in the Al-Hasakah Governorate, the Anadolu news agency said Saturday. The troops went to the neighboring Iraq, the report said, adding that previously the warehouse was used for supplying weapons and equipment to Kurdish YPG militias.”
1950 to go…
In America and the West, people do not understand the historic significance of these events. Syria, Russia and Iran have defeated the forces threatening the breakup of Syria. Turkey officials are now flying to Moscow not to negotiate, but to take orders as they are in no position whatsover to negotiate anything. Yesterday was a true historical milestone in the death of the empire.
History shows there is only one reason for an army to withdraw troops. Only one.
Kurdish YPG Militia to Disarm After Peace Returns to Syria – Spokesman
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201812311071116345-syria-ypg-kurds/
“The Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) will lay down their arms only after peace returns to Syria, the militia’s spokesman Nuri Mahmud said.
Mahmud argued that the weapons supplied by the United States were used to combat terrorists, according to a Jordanian news channel, Al-Hadath.
The YPG said it had handed over the northern city of Manbij to the Syrian army to focus on the fight against the Daesh* terror group east of the Euphrates River.”
Driven out of Syria, the United States tries to deploy more troops in Iraq and also possibly resurrect its Daesh terrorist ally in that nation.
US Army Deploys 5,000 Troops in Ein Al-Assad Base in Western Iraq
https://syria360.wordpress.com/2018/12/30/us-army-deploys-5000-troops-in-ein-al-assad-base-in-western-iraq/
Humam al-Hamoudi: US Seeking to Resurrect Daesh in Iraq
https://syria360.wordpress.com/2018/12/30/humam-al-hamoudi-us-seeking-to-resurrect-daesh-in-iraq/
Trump’s so-called withdrawal was a shell game of moving US troops from Syria to Iraq.
Well, well, well, israeli quisling graham feels good about what israeli quisling trump is up to in the Mideast.
Graham: ‘I Feel Pretty Good’ About Syria After Lunch with Trump
https://sputniknews.com/us/201812311071116202-graham-good-syria-after-lunch-trump/
Confirmation it is ziobusiness as usual, the sods are simply changing gears.
An interesting take:
https://mobile.almasdarnews.com/article/turkey-protecting-syrias-territorial-integrity-with-east-euphrates-operation-turkish-analyst/
“Turkey is ‘protecting’ Syria’s territorial integrity with their upcoming operation against the Kurdish-led People’s Protection Units (YPG), a Turkish military analyst told state-owned Anadolu News Agency on Sunday.
“The biggest threat to Syria’s territorial integrity and political unity comes from the PYD and its military wing the YPG,” Oytun Orhan, coordinator of Syria studies at the Ankara-based Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies (ORSAM)
Orhan’s comments were in line with the recent remarks made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a speech last week.
“The issue in Syria is not the issue of Kurds, Arabs, or Turkmens. The issue in Syria is freedom, Syria’s territorial integrity,” Erdogan said, as quoted by the Anadolu Agency.
Erdogan has vowed to clear the eastern region of the Euphrates River Valley from the “terrorist groups” that are currently active in this area.
The Turkish President has repeatedly referred to the Kurdish groups in Syria as terrorist groups that are destabilizing the country.”
Israeli Drone Violates Lebanese Airspace After Crossing Golan Heights – Reports
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201901011071143357-israel-lebanon-drone/
“An unmanned aerial vehicle of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) crossed into Lebanese airspace from the Golan Heights on Tuesday, according to Elnashra.
According to an Elnashra report, the drone was seen in the sky over the southern areas of Hasbaya and Arkub, and also passed at a low altitude above the border with Syria near Mount Hermon.
Israel regularly conducts flights into Lebanese territory in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which sealed the end of the Israel-Hezbollah War.
On December 26, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lebanon sent a complaint to the UN Security Council against Israel, following IAF warplanes attacking Damascus from Lebanese airspace. The complaint noted that “the use of the Lebanese sky by the Israeli air forces to commit an attack against the fraternal country is a flagrant violation of the UN Security Council resolution 1701.”
According to the ministry, Israel violated Lebanon’s airspace and territorial waters 1,417 times in 2018 alone.”
Israeli spy planes spotted all over Syria’s Al-Quneitra border
https://mobile.almasdarnews.com/article/israeli-spy-planes-spotted-all-over-syrias-al-quneitra-border/
“Several Israeli spy planes were spotted along the occupied Golan Heights-Quneitra border this afternoon, a military source in the area told Al-Masdar News.
According to the source, Israeli reconnaissance drones flew towards the Syrian province from the Jabal Al-Sheikh (Mount Hermon) region of Lebanon.
Once they reached the Syrian border, the Israeli reconnaissance drones began to circle the area before returning to southern Lebanon, where they conducted similar flights.
The Israeli Air Force has recently intensified their presence along the Syrian border since they launched several airstrikes in western Damascus on Christmas
In addition to their flights along the Syrian border, the Israeli Air Force has conducted several observation flights along the southern Lebanese border.
These overflights from the Upper Galilee region often focus on the Nabatieh Governorate of Lebanon, which is believed to have the largest presence of Hezbollah fighters in the country.”