This map provides a general look at the military situation in the northeastern Deir Ezzor countryside after the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have captured the town of Markadah and the nearby villages from ISIS.
Click to see the full-size map
Map Update: Military Situation In Northeastern Deir Ezzor After US-backed Forces Advance In Markadah Area
With the taking of Markadah, the back of SDF has been cleared from another piece of IS, opening the easy supply route to the south.
SDF now poised to take the last eastern areas on the east side of the Euphrates river.
Imo SDF will halt all operations once that is finished.
The one exception might be south of Afrin, the Idlib region, in case Turkey attacks the SDF there. As all forces partaking in the assault of Raqqah and originatin from Manbij, Afrin, are now back where they came from, Turkey once again missed a window of opportunity for them.
Maybe the US has other political or military objectives for the area, but imo the SDF wil only participate with ironclad guarantees from the USA and Coalition. So, not likely.
Once the US controlled ex ISIS SDF/Kurdish invasion and occupation forces steal all the areas which are officially still under ISIS from the Syrian government, they will turn upon the two government pockets of Hasakha and Hamishli. The aggression and invasion of these two government outposts will serve two purposes. The first is to have total control over the Eastern banks of the Euphrates river for a future de facto independent state. The second would be to provoke a reaction from the Syrian government forces stationed there thereby providing an excuse for the US terror coalition to start bombing the Syrian government forces on the Western banks of the Euphrates river and try to overrun and occupy all the country through its other proxies, HTS, FSA and co. This will happen as soon as Russia retreats from Syria after ISIS are totally eradicated by the Syrian government forces.
yepp, I see that similar. The SDF will have no more military possibilities without a deadly risk. They better look for negotiations
Very true and possible.
N7 north through Hasaka to Nusaybin is the next Syria coalition move cutting weapons transfer between Kurdish areas and establishing border controls. Then Raqqua and dam above.
As long as the US gives the SDF aircover, it is highly unlikely this will happen and is just posturing
Daesh is defeated there is no mandate nor permission from Syria for American troops or air cover in the sovereign nation of Syria. There is no cover for US or NATO involvement in their nation. This can not be permitted under UN agreements of any nature with out the complete dissolution of all UN authority or agreements.
Al tanf proves otherwise.
It is possible but I doubt SDF will start a confrontation there. The reason is simple. Qamishli Airport is a way out of Northern Syria and is being used to transport medicines, students, some supplies. Also there is Sjeikh Maqsud to consider, an enclave of SDF within Aleppo and the transit from Aleppo to Afrin.
SDF might take the two enclaves, but, imo, only after SAA attacks SDF in and around Aleppo.
I don’t see another solution, than an agreement between SDF and the goverment. In that case, they can kick out the other “moderate” rebells, including the “moderate” Turkey. Otherwise, there be a war like in Afghanistan, without an end.