Following a series of heavy airstrikes and intense shelling by the Turkish military, National Syrian Army (NSA) militants were finally able to advance in the border town of Ras al-Ayn.
Click to see full-size map. Source: (@suriyegundemiEN) on Twitter.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) confirmed that Turkish-backed forces managed to capture half of the town, located in northern al-Hasakah, in the morning of October 17.
After advancing in Ras al-Ayn, NSA militants captured several key positions in the town’s outskirt, effectively besieging Kurdish forces. Despite this, heavy clashes are still taking place inside the town.
“Heavy clashes with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue inside the town,” the SHOR’s report read.
A day earlier, at least 49 militants of the NSA were ambushed and killed by SDF fighters inside Ras al-Ayn. The militants were reportedly looting abandoned houses.
The NSA launched its attack on Ras al-Ayn last week in the framework of the Turkish-led Operation Peace Spring. The first phase of the operation is aimed at establishing a “safe-zone” between Ras al-Ayn and the town of Tell Abyad, 120 km to the west.
What about the SDF and Russian forces, that were reported yesterday to be deloyed at Ras Al-Ayn?? Without them, airstrikes will continue; With them, not so much.. Or has there been a shift in policy to let Erdogan take the city??
We don’t know exactly what has been agreed in the deal between Erdogan and Putin. All we probably do know is that Erdogan is not going to be leaving this part of Syria empty handed. He will get some part for him to house more headchoppers in. Quid pro quo.
True.. Quid pro quo. Though it will be a acrobatic act for Putin to accomondate all sides into a settlement. We will see if he can achive the breakthrough in some days i guess.
There is a 1998 treat between Syria and Turkey that allows Turkey to invade Syria to depth of 5km to rid the border area of PKK.
There is also a likely brokered agreement with Turkey, Iran, Russia and Syria as to how this all unfolds.
Last Trump says there is some kind of agreement between Turkey and the USA as to the limits of their incursion which IMHO is just BS to get the USA to leave allowing for things to move forward and the Syrian war can finally come to a conclusion.
War plans rarely survive contact with the enemy so of course the situation is going to be fluid as the situation on the ground as to SDF’s formations and defences are uncovered.
Right, Ras al ayn falls under the Adana agreement! It makes sense now, thanks! Greetings
Why hasn’t the SAA deployed their Air Defence Systems to protect the skies from the Turks????
because SAA deal with the turks!!
???
Putin ordered them to stand down
When?
If they move air defences east then parts of the west is left undefended. Do they sacrifice Damascus to the IAF to protect the Kurds from the Turks?
Do they not have enough Pantisirs?
Pantsirs are a close support weapon. They have a range of around 20 km max. They would have to be deployed with the Kurdish forces to offer any protection at all.
Even if they would do the Kurds any good why would the SAA move pantsirs away from Damascus to protect a force that wanted to seize half of Syria as their own? If I were a Syrian I would want the Kurds to learn a lesson over backstabbing them.
Anyone who can read a map and rub 2 brain cells together could see that there was never going to be a Kurdistan. In order to make Kurdistan territory would have to be seized from Iran, Iraq and Syria and it would have no access to ports and have to overfly belligerent countries to trade or travel. Kurdistan would require the US military and US taxpayers to support it forever.
In light of this the Kurds have to pay a price for being conned into believing they could take over half of Syria and the USA would pay for their bills. Call it a stupidity tax.
Interesting
Turkeys invasion is a god given gift to the SAA. There must be some sort of deal with the putin so that SAA will not come close to 20 miles declared zone. With this turkey’s threat SAA got back Raqqa and Manbij without any fight.
Funny thing how the Turkish map explains SAA positions as ”regime” the Al Qaeda marked as ”OPPOSITION”???
https://youtu.be/gm43qGznNOk
Which Russia will NOT be supplying SDF, SAA or Assad’s pet hamster with, Russia is is in cahoots with the Turks mate as well as the Israelis.
Now every body…….all together: S300 S300 S300 S300 S300 S300 S300
The supposed game changer that would make Syria a “no Fly Zone” for any outside power.
IAF attacks are down 90% since the S-300s were deployed and have almost come to a complete stop. You don’t know if the SADF has manpads or not. They almost certainly do.