The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) confirmed that a new deal has been reached with the government in Damascus to secure the town of Ain Issa in northern Raqqa from Turkish attacks.
On December 9, the SDF’s Tell Abyad Military Council said in a statement that the deal, which is meant to “observe” the ceasefire in the region, was brokered by Russia.
Turkey, which invaded northeastern Syria last year, agreed on a ceasefire in northern Raqqa and many other parts of the region in two separate agreements with Russia and the United States. Nevertheless, to this day Turkish forces continue to regularly violate the ceasefire there.
Under the new deal, the SDF and the Syrian Arab Army established three joint “observation posts” north, east and west of Ain Issa. The three posts are located along the M4 highway, which links northern Raqqa with al-Hasakah in the east and Aleppo in the west.
The Russian Military Police maintains a fairly large presence in Ain Issa. The town hosts a Coordination and Operations Center of Russian forces.
According to the Hawar News Agency, Russian helicopters have been conducting patrols over Ain Issa on a daily basis since December 6.
The new agreement came following two weeks of repeated Turkish attacks on Ain Issa. The town was being shelled on a daily basis. Several SDF fighters and a Syrian soldier were killed.
Russia reportedly warned the SDF of a nearing Turkish attack on Ain Issa, which forced the U.S.-backed group to reach an agreement with Damascus. The agreement will deter Turkish forces and allow the government forces to expand their influence in Raqqa.
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Bibi anf Pimpeo are crying and raging ?
Always be wary of the Kurd, he is like the Jew only a little more failed, but just as treacherous.
Kurdish YPG inside Syria – masquerading under SDF banner – an armed ethnic minority militia, under partial US patronage. However, those US links keep YPG/SDF from fully reconciling with Syrian state, who actually have long term capacity to militarily protect Kurds in north east Syria from Turkish gambits, and thus, US linked YPG/SDF remain in direct open conflict in north east Syria, with US’ very own NATO allies Turkey… Washington playing a shifting game of divide and conquer, and hapless YPG/SDF still seem none the wiser.
its money.. remember, the leaders of all oppressed peoples are usually very rich..
Adding observation posts will not work on long term… It will work for a few weeks, but then Turks backed forces will start attacking again. The SDF should really give the whole northeast Syria to the SAA.
If it stops the Turks indiscriminate shelling I’ll be more than a little surprised, the Russian presence hasn’t stopped the Turks shelling of Tall Rif AT yet. Opposition forces keep telling the opposition media that they’re poised to attack the SDF in a new operation but is that just a bluff, you can never tell with Erdogan, he’s the one person who does do what he says he’ll do, so I’d be on high alert if I was in charge of either the SAA or the SDF, just in case.