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- The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) shot down an armed drone launched by Turkish-backed militants in northern Hasakah;
- Turkish-backed forces resumed advance in Ras al-Ayn. Now, they are in control of about a half of the town;
- Turkish-backed forces claimed that they had captured a large Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) ammunition depot in northern Syria;
- The SAA and the Russian Military Police continue daily patrols near Manbij.
AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Breaking News
Home Syria Kurdish forces block Syrian Army, Russian military from entering Raqqa: video Syria Kurdish forces block Syrian Army, Russian military from entering Raqqa: video By News Desk – 2019-10-17 0
BEIRUT, LEBANON (6:20 P.M.) – The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reportedly blocked the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Russian military from entering the city of Raqqa in northern Syria this week. On Thursday, October 17th, the Russian and Syrian armed forces were attempting to enter the city of Raqqa after traveling from Al-Tabaqa in the western part of the governorate.
However, they were reportedly stopped by the Syrian Democratic Forces before they could actually reached the city’s gates, the Anna News Agency said on Thursday. “According to their statements, the Syrian Army should only stand in the way of the Turkish military as they conduct Operation Peace Spring,” Anna News reported. Anna News added that the Syrian Democratic Forces told the Syrian Army that they do not have the authority to enter areas with a Kurdish population and should instead focus on beating back Turkey.
On Wednesday, a Syrian Army source told Al-Masdar that the military was preparing to enter Raqqa; however, a time and date for their entry was not given.
A pretty big mess this is.
Though with the Kurdish political structure, there seem to be many players and aims. I only know, if the Kurd would take a turn back from the agreement, then all bets are off. Then i am sure, they sealed their fate. And and even worse one than before, because even though the deep state would still push them, there would be no US base or soldier to protect them. They could only hide in Al-Tanf or Iraq..
This sounds like one of Al Masdar News half-stories. Maybe a group operating independently of the SDF command structure, and probably Arab, too. Raqqa was never a Kurdish city – mostly Arab but mixed.
If it did happen something like AMN’s source describes, then it probably has something to do with US troops withdrawing from further north and gathering in Raqqa. Either that, or the CIA and Mossad buddies are done ‘cleaning up’ whatever clownfuckery they were performing there. I can see the SAA/Russia recognizing the need for the US (and their ISIS ‘helpers’) to fully clear out before they move in. Days at most.
A lightly-armed SDF until. guarding Raqqa isn’t going to keep an armor column out for long. Maybe the SAA/Russian convoy hasn’t even made it to Raqqa yet, and this story is only SDF BS propaganda for a little face-saving.
I’m kind of surprised how neither side has mentioned Tabqa Air Base specifically. The long runway and rebuilt US facilities there make it some pretty desirable real estate. It will accommodate the largest USAF transport aircraft. In fact, it’s SO desirable that it’s hard for me to believe the US would just walk away – presidential orders or not. I could see the SAA/Russia standing down for a few days while US equipment, troops and CIA terrorists are airlifted out, but surely whatever secret deal Russia made with everyone would require the US to get out of Tabqa AB as well.
Tabqua AB also has one of our most advanced long-range surveillance radars – SPY-(something). How can Israel attack Syria safely if CENTCOM isn’t sending them live radar feeds from inside Syria? No Tabqa radar? That’s anti-Semitic! That radar has 360° of coverage, so the US/Israel can watch the oilfields to the east, and all the Syrian population centers otherwise ‘behind the mountains’ to the west. That is, Israeli and US radar cannot see whats going on in Damascus from the Mediterranean Sea. The radar view from anywhere in northern Israel besides Mt. Hermon Ski Resort (hah) is masked by Mt. Hermon, itself. The Tabqa AB radar site is crucial to US snooping in on Syrian/Russian air operations.
Tabqa city itself is a little dump and mostly immaterial. The SDF ‘gave’ the powerhouse back to the Syrian engineers that ran it before. Not sure about the dam/road across it. Again, that should be handed over if Russia did what it appears they’ve done: get the US to leave and the SDF to stand down. I know the SDF is claiming the SAA is merely ‘helping’ them fight the Turks, but they really have no say in anything.
Russia would not have needed to appease the Kurds if the US was going to throw the SDF under the bus. It’s not much of a negotiating position. The SDF/Kurds couldn’t prohibit the SAA/Russia from anything, anymore. At least without a fight – that the SDF/Kurds would lose.
“then it probably has something to do with US troops withdrawing from further north and gathering in Raqqa” Good point. best to keep these forces apart when using the roads. The dam road was probably the first one used by SAA forces to move north to Ein Issa. Hopefully the Tabqua airbase was improved by the US coalition, I’m sure Assad is happy right now. :)
The dam road is the only crossing in that region capable of handling very heavy loads, such as tractors hauling battle tanks on trailers. The SDF rebuilt the old bridge at Raqqa but it’s load rating is only 12 tons.
24.2 C Beirut Thursday, October 17, 2019
AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Home Syria Breaking: ISIS storms SDF prison in Raqqa to free inmates Syria Breaking: ISIS storms SDF prison in Raqqa to free inmates By News Desk – 2019-10-17 0
BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:30 P.M.) – The Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) announced on Thursday afternoon that they launched a new operation to free several of their family members that are inside a prison managed by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the Al-Raqqa Governorate. According to the Islamic State’s claim, their terrorists stormed a prison in the town of Mahmudli, where they managed to break into the site and kill a half dozen guards.
The terrorist group further claimed that they were able to free several ISIS brides and their family members during the breakout attempt. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have yet to comment on this claim by the Islamic State. This latest attack by the Islamic State comes at a time when the Syrian Democratic Forces are facing a massive assault by the Turkish military and their militant allies in the Al-Raqqa, Al-Hasakah, and Aleppo governorates.
Abad joke Pence/trump and Erdogan brokered an agreement ; Sdf has 120 houres to lay down it weapons! First America/Trump betrayed the Sdf and now Trump wants them to transfer their land unarmed as sheep. That is betrayal a judas worthy.
WHAT? Thats true? LOL. And what would the US do to enforce it? Attack the Kurds who played human shields for fat US soldiers when fighting ISIS for the Jihadi Turks?
Yeah, you are right, though RT does not write about laying down arms, but to force the Kurds to retreat from the border 30KMs. This would give Erdogan the M4 highway, which is CRUCIAL for Syria, and Erdogan has PROMISED to Putin in the Astana agreement to make sure the highway is under gov control. Trump sold out to the Kurds what he does now own, for nothing in return.. Only to not look totally impotent and for some better MSM articles.
That one zone contains about 50% of Kurd majority localities in Syria as a whole. Main issue is how to get rid of Turks once they are there. So best for SAA to enter as many places as possible as soon as possible.
Truely, and that is why i dont get why the Kurds would agree to those terms, where they loose kurdish majority areas.. But i guess we will know soon.
There is a bit of information on the Pence agreement here, fresh from HAARETZ in HQ country:
https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/syria-turkey-live-updates-kurds-manbij-trump-assad-sanctions-1.7973896
Part of the ‘agreement’ is Kurds will give up heavy weapons (earlier supplied by US)
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1184895160871571456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1184895160871571456&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.haaretz.com%2Fmiddle-east-news%2Fsyria%2Fsyria-turkey-live-updates-kurds-manbij-trump-assad-sanctions-1.7973896
OMG ! I am starting to feel nauseous and may need to vomit.
This is very bad news. Complete sell out. If the Kurds do not surrender and leave their lands, the US can blame them and ll give Turk roaches permission to commit genocide. SAA can’t do anything to prevent that without air support. The Ruskies will not stop the Turks i am affraid
The US/Turk ceasefire makes no mention of the Syrian government. So if the Kurds withdraw south of the M4, are they going to be replaced by the SAA? I don’t see the Syrian government allowing further Turkish incursion.
US at this point is only in “spoiler” mode…it can range about quite a bit making different sorts of agreements, with the end in view to make trouble for all concerned. Much easier to ruin a party than to put one together.
The acid test is if it actually happens.
The SAA should mount a joint force into the Green area now; forget about the Kurds for a week or so.
The green area can wait, it’s not going anywhere Time to make the yellow area red again. Or maybe orange and stop light blue? Dam this is getting confusing for me AI. Screw it, I’m going to the fridg for another beer ! :)