Click to see full-size image. (Syrian Interior Ministry)
The forces of the Islamist-led Syrian Transitional Government (STG) attacked a facility where ISIS detainees are kept close to the northern city of Raqqa on January 19, just a day after signing a new merger agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The Kurdish ANHA news agency reported that “transitional government mercenaries” attacked al-Aqttan Prison, using heavy weapons and even drones. Meanwhile, the SDF described the attack in a statement as a “very dangerous” development.
“We affirm the public that the level of threat is escalating significantly, given the attempts by these factions to reach and control the prison, and the serious security repercussions that may result, threatening stability and opening the way for the return of chaos and terrorism,” the group said.
STG forces entered Raqqa a day earlier. Clashes there continued even after the Syrian President announced the agreement with SDF commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi.
The 14-point agreement, which was brokered by the United States, states that the Arab-majority governorates of Raqqa and Deir Ezzor should be completely handed over to the STG. Government forces and affiliated tribal forces already took over most of both governorates.
The governorate of al-Hasakah, where most of the population are Kurds, will also be integrated into government structures, according to the agreement, which does not acknowledge the SDFs’ self-administration.
As the clashes broke out around al-Aqttan Prison, located to the northeast of Raqqa city, the state-run SANA news agency reported that government forces began deploying under the agreement with the SDF.
A military source told the agency that the forces took over Tishreen Dam in the eastern Raqqa countryside, and entered the northern countryside of the governorate. This isolated SDF forces in a pocket including Kobani and nearby towns in the eastern Aleppo countryside.
Notably the source added that the forces were also deploying in the western countryside of al-Haskah. In a follow up report, SANA quoted a military source as saying that the deployment began in the eastern and northern countryside of the governorate.
“We urge the Syrian Democratic Forces not to attack the deployed military units and to abide by the agreement,” the source warned.
The attack on al-Aqttan Prison, in addition to clashes being reported in several parts of Raqqa and al-Hasakah indicate that the merger agreement may have already collapsed.
It’s worth noting that the agreement specifically states that prisons and camps holding ISIS detainees and their families, along with the forces guarding them, will be merged into government institutions.
The U.S. has offered no clear guarantees to its Kurdish allies, the agreement is also very vague on the future of Kurdish-majority areas, and the government feeling empowered after its latest victories have no real reason to act in good faith with the SDF. Thus, we could soon see an all out battle in al-Hasakah and Kobani.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
nothing will probably happen now. but a lot will happen in the fall, so that putler and dump will finally pay for their betrayal of the kurds and alawites.
the tentacles of the octopus named valery zaluzhny are longer than anyone can imagine. a scandal big enough to shake the american political landscape must cause the republicans to lose the senate and congress.
the genocide of the kurds would be forgotten by the election if it happened now. so it will happen later. late enough for republicans in republican states to boycott the election.
assad’s wife is now cleaning toilets in moscow…heheheheh
the oil and food supplies of syria are now in greater israels cartels hands. the cia and mossad isis assets are now free to bring total control of syrian assets. the more bullets you shoot the more enemies you make.
i’m getting a feeling that many treasonous kurdish ypg-pkk kuffar are going to get some alawite treatment.
kobani is caput.
venezuela and syria will have the same outcome… this will not last very long for both countries as these are 2 vietnam($) in the making while the american $ gasps it’s last breath… this ain’t 1969!…