Syrian Civil War - News & Discussions

Turkey says Syria safe zone center with U.S. fully operational: Anadolu

Turkey says Syria safe zone center with U.S. fully operational: Anadolu


ReutersAugust 24, 2019

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NATO Defence Ministers meeting in Brussels

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ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A joint Turkish-U.S. operation center to establish and manage a safe zone in northeast Syria is fully operational, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted as saying on Saturday by the state-owned Anadolu news agency.

Turkey and the United States agreed to set up the joint operations center for the proposed zone along Syria's northeastern border but gave few details, such as the size of the zone or the command structure of the forces that would operate there.

"The joint operation center has started working at full capacity. The command of center is by one U.S. general and one Turkish general," Akar was quoted as saying.
 
What an idiot. When does Russia ever abide by agreements?

Turkey's Erdogan says Russia not abiding by Syria agreements: NTV

Turkey's Erdogan says Russia not abiding by Syria agreements: NTV
January 29, 2020, 10:26 AM GMT

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Turkish President Erdogan speaks during a news conference in Istanbul
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara is losing patience with the military assault in Syria's Idlib region, adding that Russia is violating agreements aimed at stemming conflict there, broadcaster NTV reported on Wednesday.

Renewed bombardments by Russia-backed Syrian government forces on Idlib have raised concern of a new refugee wave from the area which borders Turkey and is home to 3 million people.

Turkey and Russia, which support opposing sides in Syria, agreed to work toward de-escalating the fighting in Idlib and creating a demilitarized zone under agreements in 2017 and 2018 known as the Astana and Sochi accords.

But fighting has continued in the last remaining rebel bastion in country's nearly nine-year war despite several other agreements for a ceasefire, as recently as this month.

"Currently, Russia is not abiding by Astana or Sochi," NTV quoted Erdogan as saying.

Speaking to reporters on his flight back from Senegal, he said Turkey, which is building houses in northern Idlib to shelter civilians fleeing the bombing, has told Russia that it is running out patience.

"If we are loyal partners with Russia on this, they have to put forth their stance... Our wish is that Russia immediately makes the necessary warnings to the regime which it sees as a friend," he said.

"The Astana process has fallen into silence now. We need to look at what Turkey, Russia and Iran can do to revive the Astana process," he said.

On Tuesday, Syrian government forces entered a town in the south of Idlib city, in a significant advance for President Bashar al-Assad. Turkey said it would retaliate against any attack on its 12 observation posts around Idlib.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, said a Turkish military convoy of 30 vehicles, including 12 armored vehicles, entered Syria on Monday evening and was expected to establish a new observation post south of the town of Saraqeb in Idlib.
 
What an idiot. When does Russia ever abide by agreements?

Turkey's Erdogan says Russia not abiding by Syria agreements: NTV

Turkey's Erdogan says Russia not abiding by Syria agreements: NTV
January 29, 2020, 10:26 AM GMT

957434259ab674d3dae2603dc5843bf3


Turkish President Erdogan speaks during a news conference in Istanbul
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara is losing patience with the military assault in Syria's Idlib region, adding that Russia is violating agreements aimed at stemming conflict there, broadcaster NTV reported on Wednesday.

Renewed bombardments by Russia-backed Syrian government forces on Idlib have raised concern of a new refugee wave from the area which borders Turkey and is home to 3 million people.

Turkey and Russia, which support opposing sides in Syria, agreed to work toward de-escalating the fighting in Idlib and creating a demilitarized zone under agreements in 2017 and 2018 known as the Astana and Sochi accords.

But fighting has continued in the last remaining rebel bastion in country's nearly nine-year war despite several other agreements for a ceasefire, as recently as this month.

"Currently, Russia is not abiding by Astana or Sochi," NTV quoted Erdogan as saying.

Speaking to reporters on his flight back from Senegal, he said Turkey, which is building houses in northern Idlib to shelter civilians fleeing the bombing, has told Russia that it is running out patience.

"If we are loyal partners with Russia on this, they have to put forth their stance... Our wish is that Russia immediately makes the necessary warnings to the regime which it sees as a friend," he said.

"The Astana process has fallen into silence now. We need to look at what Turkey, Russia and Iran can do to revive the Astana process," he said.

On Tuesday, Syrian government forces entered a town in the south of Idlib city, in a significant advance for President Bashar al-Assad. Turkey said it would retaliate against any attack on its 12 observation posts around Idlib.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, said a Turkish military convoy of 30 vehicles, including 12 armored vehicles, entered Syria on Monday evening and was expected to establish a new observation post south of the town of Saraqeb in Idlib.


Russia is doing a service to humanity by eliminating Al Qaeda controlled Idlib inch by inch. Right now SAA is on offensive and they just captured "Marat Al Numan" a large population center of 60,000 peoples.

SAA is also surrounded a Turkish military post in Suman and captured portion of M5 highway. Syrian government objective is to capture entire M5 Highway and open the road to Aleppo or to move further north west from Marat Al Numan and link up with the other SAA military line in the "Northern Latakia" near Jurin

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Four Turkish soldiers killed by Syria regime shelling in Idlib: Ankara

Four Turkish soldiers killed by Syria regime shelling in Idlib: Ankara


AFPFebruary 3, 2020

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Turkey has 12 observation posts in the northwestern region of Idlib as part of a Turkey-Russia deal to prevent a regime offensive (AFP Photo/AAREF WATAD)

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Ankara (AFP) - Four Turkish soldiers were killed Monday by Syrian regime shelling in the northwestern region of Idlib, Turkey's defence ministry said.

Nine other soldiers were wounded, including one seriously, the ministry said in a statement, adding that Turkish forces retaliated and "destroyed targets".

The ministry said the soldiers came under attack despite previous coordination on where they would be in the region.

It added Turkey was following the latest developments closely and that the necessary measures would be taken.

Turkey has 12 observation posts in the region as part of a Turkey-Russia deal to prevent a regime offensive.
 
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Four Turkish soldiers killed by Syria regime shelling in Idlib: Ankara

Four Turkish soldiers killed by Syria regime shelling in Idlib: Ankara


AFPFebruary 3, 2020

e042e9153d82b6503cbbcca366c07a73bc62f4f2.jpg


Turkey has 12 observation posts in the northwestern region of Idlib as part of a Turkey-Russia deal to prevent a regime offensive (AFP Photo/AAREF WATAD)

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Ankara (AFP) - Four Turkish soldiers were killed Monday by Syrian regime shelling in the northwestern region of Idlib, Turkey's defence ministry said.

Nine other soldiers were wounded, including one seriously, the ministry said in a statement, adding that Turkish forces retaliated and "destroyed targets".

The ministry said the soldiers came under attack despite previous coordination on where they would be in the region.

It added Turkey was following the latest developments closely and that the necessary measures would be taken.

Turkey has 12 observation posts in the region as part of a Turkey-Russia deal to prevent a regime offensive.


Good news. SAA is trying to clear M5 highway which connects Damascus to Aleppo. From 2011 onwards, it is blocked and SAA has decided to take it back.

The only city remaining to be taken to clear M5 highway is `Saraqeb` and Turkey is trying to stop SAA from taking it by deploying troops in 4 sides of the city. SAA swinged north in a flanking movement and now approaching `Saraqeb` from the North and it seems like Turkish troops tried to stop them and in return got shot upon.

Looks like one of the either of these two Turkish positions got attacked. Turkey did sent around 200 vehicle convoy to `Saraqeb` to stop it from falling. Let see how Erdogan's ottoman sultan game pan out.

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Control of M5 highway was one of the main bargaining points Militants have over Syrian government

If SAA takes Saraqeb, then they can move further north through M5 highway and link up with the SAA force that is advancing from the Aleppo province and encircle large amount of Militant held ares south of Saraqeb. Militants will have no choice but to withdrew to avoid encirclement.

After that, they can swing north straight to Idlib city itself, which is in sticking distance once Saraqeb is taken. Or can advance along M4 highway cutting off large portion of militant held territories further south. Here is the Map, its few days old, SAA made further advances to Saraqeb by now.

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Turkey can easily beat Syria but the question is whether they will risk further escalation with Russia.
 
Turkey can easily beat Syria but the question is whether they will risk further escalation with Russia.


There is an ongoing firefight between Turkish troops and Syrian troops. Turkey claims that dozens of Syrian soldiers killed. Defeating SAA is not hard. Its a week military facing a 9 year civil war, will limited conventional military power. But the real problem for Turkey is Kurds. If Syria come in terms with Kurds and start supporting Kurds, they can bleed Turkey severely. Turkey is not in good terms with anyone at this point, not with the west, not with the Arabs, not with Kurds. Russia- Turkey relations are better now, but still have fundamental differences and russians know very well that Turkey is more isolated than ever at this point. Dragging into a never ending Syrian conflict will be costly for Turkey. Lets see how Erdogan's empire building plans work out.
 
Turkey hits back after Syrian shells kill Turkish troops

Turkey hits back after Syrian shells kill Turkish troops
By Orhan Coskun and Daren Butler

February 3, 2020, 5:04 AM GMT

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Turkish President Erdogan speaks during a news conference in Istanbul
By Orhan Coskun and Daren Butler

ANKARA/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey said on Monday its military hit dozens of Syrian government targets after five Turkish soldiers were killed by shelling in Idlib in northwest Syria, where fighting threatens to test ties between Ankara and Moscow.

Turkey and Russia are on opposing sides in the fighting in Idlib and, though they work together elsewhere in Syria, President Tayyip Erdogan said Russian officials had been told they should "stand aside" in the conflict around Idlib.

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Turkish forces had hit 54 targets in Idlib in retaliation and "neutralized" 76 Syrian government soldiers, the state-owned Anadolu agency reported.

Erdogan had earlier said the retaliatory operations included the use of F-16 fighter jets and responded to what Turkey called intense shelling of its troops in Idlib, the last big rebel stronghold after nearly nine years of war in Syria.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces, backed by Russian air power, have made large advances in Idlib, prompting Turkey to warn it may launch a military operation there unless the fighting is halted.

"We are determined to continue our operations for the security of our country, people and our brothers in Idlib. Those who question our determination will soon understand they made a mistake," Erdogan said in Istanbul before flying to Kiev.

Speaking later in the Ukrainian capital, he said developments in Idlib had become "unmanageable".

The Syrian Observatory, a war monitor based in Britain, said 13 members of the Syrian government forces had been killed in Turkish shelling. A Syrian state TV correspondent said there had been no casualties among its government forces.

Erdogan accuses Russia of violating a 2017 agreement to reduce fighting in the region, and charge that Russia denies.

Ankara and Moscow have also been regularly conducting joint patrols in northeastern Syria. It is not clear whether or how such cooperation would be affected by any strains in ties over Idlib but Turkish broadcaster NTV said that the patrol on Monday was canceled. Closer military ties between NATO member Turkey and Russia have meanwhile alarmed Washington and other Western allies.

Turkey has in recent days sent military vehicles, trucks and other reinforcements to the region in a challenge to Damascus and its Russian backers.

Rebels fighting to oust Assad, some of whom have been backed by Turkey, have also launched counter-attacks against the territorial gains by Assad's forces.



SHELLING IN AREA OF SARAQEB

A Turkish security official told Reuters the shelling that killed the Turkish soldiers was in the area of Saraqeb, a town 15 km (9 miles) east of Idlib city that lies at the junction of two main roads which Damascus wants to gain full control of.

Turkey's defense ministry said reinforcements had been on the move around Idlib. They were meant to prevent clashes in Idlib but were hit by Syrian shelling, it said, adding that a civilian member of its forces was also killed.

The Russian defense ministry said the Turkish units came under fire from Syrian government forces after moving without notifying Russia, though Turkey said it had coordinated its military movements with Moscow.

Though Erdogan said fighter jets were involved in Turkey's response, the Russian defense ministry said Turkish planes had not violated Syria's border and no air strikes on Syrian troops had been recorded.

A spokesman said the Kremlin remained concerned about militant groups around Seraqeb where Turkish forces were hit.

The fighting in Idlib has displaced hundreds of thousands civilians. The civil defense in rebel-held territory said at least nine Syrian civilians, including four children, were killed on Monday in a Russian air strike on a van carrying displaced people near the city of Aleppo, northeast of Saraqeb.

Turkey, which already hosts 3.6 million refugees from Syria, fears a new wave of migrants from Idlib. In Kiev, Erdogan said there were close to 1 million people in Idlib marching towards Turkish borders as a result of a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive.
 
Good news. SAA is trying to clear M5 highway which connects Damascus to Aleppo. From 2011 onwards, it is blocked and SAA has decided to take it back.

The only city remaining to be taken to clear M5 highway is `Saraqeb` and Turkey is trying to stop SAA from taking it by deploying troops in 4 sides of the city. SAA swinged north in a flanking movement and now approaching `Saraqeb` from the North and it seems like Turkish troops tried to stop them and in return got shot upon.

Looks like one of the either of these two Turkish positions got attacked. Turkey did sent around 200 vehicle convoy to `Saraqeb` to stop it from falling. Let see how Erdogan's ottoman sultan game pan out.

View attachment 13751


Control of M5 highway was one of the main bargaining points Militants have over Syrian government

If SAA takes Saraqeb, then they can move further north through M5 highway and link up with the SAA force that is advancing from the Aleppo province and encircle large amount of Militant held ares south of Saraqeb. Militants will have no choice but to withdrew to avoid encirclement.

After that, they can swing north straight to Idlib city itself, which is in sticking distance once Saraqeb is taken. Or can advance along M4 highway cutting off large portion of militant held territories further south. Here is the Map, its few days old, SAA made further advances to Saraqeb by now.

View attachment 13752


Well, it looks like SAA overun the Turkish military posts in the North of Saraqeb city and cut off M4 highway from Saraqeb. SAA is now barely 7KM away from the Idlib city!!!

But it is unlikely that SAA will advance further north to Idlib, they will just outflank Saraqeb along or parallel to M5 highway and link up with Aleppo. That will surrounded Saraqeb & Militants will probably abandon their positions

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Huge SAA advance in southern Idlib. SAA captured more than 150 sq km today and entered strategic city of Saraqeb. Militants withdrawn from entire south of M5 highway. Turkish military posts are surrounded


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Advance in large map

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Good news. SAA is trying to clear M5 highway which connects Damascus to Aleppo. From 2011 onwards, it is blocked and SAA has decided to take it back.

The only city remaining to be taken to clear M5 highway is `Saraqeb` and Turkey is trying to stop SAA from taking it by deploying troops in 4 sides of the city. SAA swinged north in a flanking movement and now approaching `Saraqeb` from the North and it seems like Turkish troops tried to stop them and in return got shot upon.

Looks like one of the either of these two Turkish positions got attacked. Turkey did sent around 200 vehicle convoy to `Saraqeb` to stop it from falling. Let see how Erdogan's ottoman sultan game pan out.

View attachment 13751


Control of M5 highway was one of the main bargaining points Militants have over Syrian government

If SAA takes Saraqeb, then they can move further north through M5 highway and link up with the SAA force that is advancing from the Aleppo province and encircle large amount of Militant held ares south of Saraqeb. Militants will have no choice but to withdrew to avoid encirclement.

After that, they can swing north straight to Idlib city itself, which is in sticking distance once Saraqeb is taken. Or can advance along M4 highway cutting off large portion of militant held territories further south. Here is the Map, its few days old, SAA made further advances to Saraqeb by now.

View attachment 13752



SAA captured saraqeb and all 5 Turkish "observation posts" around the city are surrounded.

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Erdogan Escalates Threats Against Assad Loyalists in Idlib

Erdogan Escalates Threats Against Assad Loyalists in Idlib


Firat Kozok

,
BloombergFebruary 12, 2020

(Bloomberg) -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to strike Syria should there be any new aggression against Turkish soldiers deployed across the border, escalating threats against Damascus after winning rare support from the U.S.

Turkey will push forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad away from the last major rebel stronghold in Syria and will heavily retaliate for any attacks on the Turkish military, Erdogan told lawmakers on Wednesday.

“We’re determined to drive out the regime forces” from the area surrounding Idlib, he added.
 
Erdogan Escalates Threats Against Assad Loyalists in Idlib

Erdogan Escalates Threats Against Assad Loyalists in Idlib


Firat Kozok

,
BloombergFebruary 12, 2020

(Bloomberg) -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to strike Syria should there be any new aggression against Turkish soldiers deployed across the border, escalating threats against Damascus after winning rare support from the U.S.

Turkey will push forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad away from the last major rebel stronghold in Syria and will heavily retaliate for any attacks on the Turkish military, Erdogan told lawmakers on Wednesday.

“We’re determined to drive out the regime forces” from the area surrounding Idlib, he added.



SAA cleared M5 highway and probably stop all military actions for now.

Turkey shot down a Syrian helicopter over idlib
 
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MAP of Stria Idlib province and western Aleppo
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As you can see M5 highway connecting Aleppo and homs is cleared and SAA is trying to capture more town and villages north of highway to create a buffer zone.


Meanwhile Turkey has increased its military deployment in Idlib and more and more equipments are arriving everyday.

Turkish military directly attacked SAA with rocket artillery to aid a militant counter attack, which was unsuccessful. 5 more Turkish soldiers killed, taking official Turkish casualties to 15 killed and 40 injured


Turkey supplied militants with shirt range surface to air missiles, which shot down another Syrian helicopter yesterday.

Meanwhile, at least 4 Turkish supplied Infantry combat vehicles got destroyed by SAA during militants failed offensive
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MAP of Stria Idlib province and western Aleppo
View attachment 14280

As you can see M5 highway connecting Aleppo and homs is cleared and SAA is trying to capture more town and villages north of highway to create a buffer zone.


Meanwhile Turkey has increased its military deployment in Idlib and more and more equipments are arriving everyday.

Turkish military directly attacked SAA with rocket artillery to aid a militant counter attack, which was unsuccessful. 5 more Turkish soldiers killed, taking official Turkish casualties to 15 killed and 40 injured


Turkey supplied militants with shirt range surface to air missiles, which shot down another Syrian helicopter yesterday.

Meanwhile, at least 4 Turkish supplied Infantry combat vehicles got destroyed by SAA during militants failed offensiveView attachment 14282View attachment 14283

This conflict is getting really hot between Turkey and Syria. I am surprised this isn't a bigger topic on the world stage. The previously negotiated peace agreement has been thoroughly violated.

On another note, Turkey seems to have exploded in its activeness in the region with its intervention in Syria and now Libya. Not to mention all the geopolitical squabbling with the US and other Western nations.
 
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This conflict is getting really hot between Turkey and Syria. I am surprised this isn't a bigger topic on the world stage. The previously negotiated peace agreement has been thoroughly violated.

On another note, Turkey seems to have exploded in its activeness in the region with its intervention in Syria and now Libya. Not to mention all the geopolitical squabbling with the US and other Western nations.


Erdogan is in an expansionist mode. I don't think it will end up great for turkey in long term. Now entire Arab states (except Qatar) sees Turkey as an enemy tying to take leadership of Islamic world. he also messed up Turkey's traditional good relationship with west really bad.

In Syria, i think we will see direct war between Syria and Turkey by the beginning of next month. The previous Astana agreement created a safe zone and agreed on a cease fire. But there was no cease fire, not even for 1 day. Idlib is full of Al-Qaeda affiliated terrorists. According to US intelligence report, there are more than 40,000 Al-Qaeda militants in Idlib, that number may have increased by now. All hardcore militants across years were given option to leave different region of Syria to Idlib whenever army surround a region. This process made Idlib the most terrorist filled region in the entire planet. Militants in Idlib were shelling Syrian population centers almost everyday from idlib.


There are two frations in Idlib, Al-qaeda fraction and Turkish fraction. According to Astana agreement, Turkish fraction was supposed to clear idlib of Al-qaeda fraction. But that never happened and actually, Al-qaeda fraction ended up taking m ore territory & Turkish fraction suffered many defeats.

In the last few months Syrian army took over more than 2000 KM2 essentially capturing almost half of militant held territories including many cities. Turkey is now in a situation where if it didn't stop SAA, all highly radical Islamists will cross the border to Turkey to save themselves from Assad, which will not ened up very well for Turkey.

Turkey demanded SAA to withdrew from all territories captured by the end of this month or face war. There is heavy military build up going on in Idlib by Turkey. This is the amount of territory Turkey demanded SAA to withdrew.
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Well, SAA seems to have opened a new front in western Aleppo and militant defense is crumbling. SAA captured 180 sqkm today


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Looks like most of the militants were deployed near idlib city to save the city from possible Syrian attack from "Saraqb" axis and SAA used the opportunity to clear western Aleppo


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