Posted on 12/28/2018 8:17:02 AM PST by Nextrush
"The YPG/YKK terrorist organization that controls the region by force does not have the right and the authority to make a statement and invite other elements on behalf of people in the region"
Turkish Defense Ministry Statement 12/28/2018-
"Due to the invading Turkish state's threats to invade northern Syria and displace its people similarly to al-Bab, Jarabulus and Afrin, we as the People's Protection Units, following the withdrawal of our forces from Manbij before, announce that our forces will be focusing on the fight against ISIS on all fronts in the east of the Euphrates.
In conjunction with this, we invite the Syrian government forces which are obliged to protect the same country, nation and borders, to assert control over the areas our forces have withdrawn from, in particularly Manbij, and to protect these areas against a Turkish invasion."
YPG Kurdish Official Statement 12/28/2018-
When President Trump decided during a phone call with the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier this month that US troops were leaving Syria, it appeared that the Turks and their proxy forces would have a free hand to move into northeastern Syria to take out Kurdish forces Turkey sees as a threat to its national integrity and security.
But word today after days of a military buildup in the region, is that Syrian government forces accompanied by Russian military police are moving in the western part of northeastern Syria at Manbij.
The Turkish President spoke after Friday prayers saying in part:
"Our goal is terrorist groups leaving there. If the "terrorist groups leave, then there is no job left for us"
Tomorrow a high-level Turkish delegation will go to Moscow for a meeting with Russian officials to discuss the Syrian situation.
The Syrian government said in a statement earlier today that Manbij is officially under its control and that its forces entered the city.
A pro-Syrian government Twitter feed sending pictures from Manbij says there is no sign of Syrian government forces in the city center yet. The Syrian government forces had moved into the countryside west of the city at the village of Arima in recent days.
The "IvanSidorenko1" Twitter feed also showed pictures of US coalition forces helicopters over Manbij today.
Another development in recent hours was an announcement by the Turkish aligned Free Syrian Army units that an offensive was underway in the Manbij area-
Lots of bluff and bluster here, but the real situation will sort itself out in the coming hours and days.
It certainly appears that the Kurds are ready to give up the Turkish border regions to the Syrian government as the alternative to Turkish invasion.
Seems like Trump called it right - step out of the way and let Russia and Turkey fight over Syrian scraps.
Turkey attacking Kurds is, more or less, expected and the world will take little interest. But Turkey attacking Syria is a different conflict, which would bring in all of Syria’s allies; Russia, Iran and a host of others who have an interest in the area. Since Turkey initiated the conflict, I’d say NATO has no role.
Like Saudi Arabia, Turkey appears to be a military powerhouse. But, like Saudi Arabia, it’s a boxer with a glass jaw. One good push and Turkey is likely to collapse into a bar-fight of revolutionary groups.
It is in the interests of the US, and all civilized people, for Assad and Russia to regain total control over the entirety of the Syrian territory.
If Turkey invades, I would support the Russian Air Force taking out all their armor and troop concentrations.
And the left / msm fault President Trump from stepping out of the middle of this brouhaha./sarc.
Its not a question of if, but rather how long Turkey will remain in Syria.
A lot depends on how quickly the Kurdish fighters bend the knee to the Syrian government, something they should have done a year ago.
There will be no independent Kurdistan in Syria.
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