The Free Syrian Army, backed up by the Turkish Special Forces, is going to take al-Bab city and then move to the north-east part of Aleppo province.
Photo: TASS / Zuma / Eduardo Martins
The opposition Free Syrian Army (FSA), backed up by Turkish troops, is going to dislodge terrorists of the Islamic State (IS) group from al-Bab city, located 40 km north-east of Aleppo, in the coming days, the Izvestiya newspaper reported. In case of success, it will come to positions of Syrian government troops. Damascus believes that in this way the ‘moderate’ opposition tries to distract attention from large-scale military actions, which are conducted by Russia and Syria in Aleppo and neighboring provinces, and expresses readiness to meet the opposition forces with weapons in hands.
The advance of FSA militants, supported by Turkish troops, towards Aleppo and their gradual approach to the areas, controlled by the Syrian government forces, was not a surprise for the Syrian government. According to a deputy of the Syrian Parliament, Ashvak Abbas, Damascus has no doubts about ability of the country’s armed forces to repel a possible enemy attacks in the north-east of Aleppo province. He noted that clashes between opposition armed groups and government forces can be expected in the area, but it is unlikely that militants will manage to achieve any results.
“Cooperation between the Russian and Syrian armed forces in the fight against terrorism is at a very high level. Events in the area of al-Bab should be considered, primarily, as an attempt to divert attention from the operation to liberate Aleppo and following actions on destruction of armed groups in the provinces of Homs and Idlib,” Abbas told Izvestiya.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also noted that the Free Syrian Army, supported by the Turkish Special Forces, is currently stationed about 2 kilometers from al-Bab city. He added that resistance is expected, but “it is unlikely that it will last long.”
If the city of al-Bab is taken, in the near future, the forces of the so-called ‘moderate’ opposition will come to the area, controlled by the Syrian government forces, which are involved in the besiegement of Aleppo. So, in this case, we can talk about opening of the second front.
So far, Syrian troops in Aleppo district were attacked from the south and south-west – groups of the ‘moderate’ opposition came from the provinces of Idlib and Homs. Now, apparently, the government forces will also have to repel attacks from the north-east.
‘Oppositionists’, advancing on al-Bab, do not hide their goals. So, the Reuters news agency quoted the words of one of the FSA battlefield commanders, who confirmed that units of militants are going to move in the direction of Aleppo.
“After the capture of al-Bab, we will be on the edge of the industrial area [of Aleppo] and in the area of the Kuweires airbase, so we [will have] a direct contact with the regime troops,” the source of the news agency said.
I think there was some guy that objected to this. What was his name again? Oh yeah… it was Tupolev.
Exceptionally bad idea, Turkey.
It would be very foolish for Erdogan to interfere with the Syrian government and its allies. Russia would not hesitate to arm the Kurds with better weapons, making them their ally for Turkey’s worst nightmare in Syria.
As a Turk, It’s really hard to understand Erdogan’s decisions here. If you look at the news both in the Turkish media and in the Europe/US media, tensions between Turkey and West is growing strongly, to a point that its almost obivious that Turkey is getting away from them.
That is why we are seeing visits to Belarus, to Pakistan, lately to Uzbekistan. Not even gonna mention the Russia. But among all of these countries, the key country is Russia. If you are not friends with Russia, other countries will always look you with doubt.
And being friends with Russia requires being friends with Syria, thus Assad. But Erdogan is not doing that. Which means he can’t take further Turkey’s relationship with Russia.
So, you are gonna be enemies with West and with East… Who is left? Nobody. That means country will be in disaster.
We patriotic and secular Turks believe, Turkey must abandone US and Europe and their policies and repair ties with Mr. Bashar Al-Assad.
This Euphrates Shield operation should’ve been done with Syrian Arab Army. Not this collection of jihadi groups.
I totally agree with you. Very wise way of thinking.
Erdogan throw 100,000 Gulen and or anyone he hate …into jail or out of job. Erdogan create his own demise as this will backfire on him.
When Erdogan falls….Turk gov and society need discuss/act,….to see the former Madness orchestrated by a Dictator. …does not happen again. Turk society in modern times is not best served under Dictatorship and secret Police/Military. This is part of the problem of Muslim Brotherhood. …which has historic Legacy with Fascist Nazis Germany. ..and works today with the Corporate /political Fascism .[Empire] To many people think Fascism is moron with Nazi symbol and goose stepping Parade.
the real breaking point will come when turkish conscript soldiers start coming home in body bags after they attack the kurds. he doesnt touch the kurds because even he knows it’s too costly. but kurds with better weapons (and russian nudge) = kurds taking territory from proxies = erdogan stepping in = bodybags = pissed population.
Guess I was wrong… Thought Turks enjoyed Eating/ drinking booze,…dancing…smoking Hashish. . Enjoy life….welcome Tourist. Education and Family….and community. Didn’t think they wanted kook Muslim Brotherhood reality and Police state. Decade + back. ..used to download music which was inspired by the older Underground club music ( which was somewhat political)… A blend of Greek,Turkish and Hebrew… Numerous music groups redid these songs and continued the style . With our Gens music ability…these songs/this music is really great!. Some of this music is popular with new age musicians in Bulgaria. Colorful videos with exotic women.
It’s to bad that all these cultures gifts get pushed aside ….with the controlled Media pushing the hate and separation.
Since you identify as patriotic and secular, did you support the turkish military coup? I mean, did you want them to succeed? I am asking out of interest, not arguing.
If the coup was attempted by OUR military, I would’ve supported it. But since it was attempted by literally CIA itself, i did not.
Many people don’t know the details but the moment the so called coup started, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Army Coups(Turkey’s army is divded in 5 Army Coups and stationed in different parts of country) came out and said “This military coup is not us but the job of pro-american Gulenist soldiers’ job”.
That is precisely why while Russia immedieatly condemned the coup, together with Iran. Both knew it was the job of CIA. If they were to succeed, the new president of Turkey would be completely pro-American(not saying Erdogan isn’t but he is not 100% pro-American, thus the bashing from European Union and US).
Also, feel free to ask anything else.
I wish they would try something so Russia can bomb the “moderates” who are fighting each other in the town of Azaz to dust.
Why just arm when Syria / Russia / Iran can go one step further by providing technical / economic support in the broadest terms possible. If any of the protagonist of this conflict can guarantee an independent homeland of Kurdistan, that would be the clincher as to who the Kurds will jump into bed with.
There will be no “independent homeland of Kurdistan” and no peace between Turkey and Syria as long as Kurds are intertwined across the borders and regions with each region having different goals and leaders. Remember these are clans not a nation and Iraqi clan has been in bed with the Erdogan clan in stealing Iraqi oil and transporting to Turkey and the black market along with ISIS.
Waiting for the FSA is a wrong strategy SAA should start taking ISIS villages as this will push the ISIS to engage more “seriously” with FSA approach to Al Bab and surrounding.
As long as ISIS and FSA are destroying each others resources to wage battle there is no desire to stop them. Sun Tzu do not disrupt enemies who are destroying each other. There is a plan, have faith.
my words exactly let your enemies kill each other.
look at them… i mean… just look at them.
These turkies belive that russian will tolerate their intervention and invasion to Syria…..let us see whether or not Rusia will do something about this.
Lets see if Erdogan kebab pasha has the nerve to go to war with Russia,Iran,Iraq,Syria and Hezbollah.
The Free Syrian Army, otherwise known as the original ISIS. This crew of bandits started the shooting at demos and murdered unarmed police officers and public workers.