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I'm aware of that. Nonetheless, the Turks are more familiar with the geography of their own regions than they are with the geography of Afrin. As a case in point, just look at how difficult it has been for Turkey to capture al-Bab, even though the terrain in al-Bab is nowhere near as challenging as that in southeastern Turkey.Rugged terrain of Southeastern Turkey is way harsher than Afrin. Feel free to check it out. Plus Afrin is surrounded by Turkey in three sides, which gives a better movement change. We wouldnt even need to move our artillery into Syria.
The thing is, al-Assad is happy with Kurdish rule in Afrin. He doesn't want that to change. For one thing, the regime doesn't have enough manpower to reestablish control over that area. Therefore, from al-Assad's point of view, Kurdish rule in Afrin is a million times better than Turkish/FSA rule. It's as simple as that.Whatever Assad does with Afrin is entirely depends on their stance. If they go rogue like their eastern buddies, they would be crushed between Assad and Turkey. If they obey Assad then as I said Im ok with Assad having control over Afrin.
So you're suggesting an all out war against the Kurds? It's never going to happen. Neither Russia nor the Syrian government would allow that to happen. Both the Russians and Syrians know that, without YPG rule in northern Syria, most of that region would fall into the hands of the Islamist rebels, which is the last thing they'd ever want.Anti-tank/air weapons wouldnt change the final results, more casualties and longer time? Yes but Turkish army is not a rag tag militia force, they wouldnt get depleted of resources and manpower. It wouldnt easily lose popular support either because people understand that it concerns our national security.
Yes, I agree. And this is what al-Assad wanted, by the way. He wants the Kurds to be around, but he didn't want them to take over the Azaz-Jarabulus corridor as that might have led to the formal breakup of Syria.Anyway, even if neither Manbij or Afrin was touched this operation still succeceded on preventing their union. Not a very bad result.
A ceasefire has been agreed on starting midnight, involving SAA and Allies and FSA.
Ceasefire does not include YPG/SDF or ISIS.
Meanwhile there are reports that Russia has started bombing Al-Bab.
Maybe it will be.Bombing and joint ground operations aren't exactly the same. And, you're wrong, liberating Münbiç will be much more easier for us than the current Albab operation.
Funny how Russia is giving a message to the US and other western coalition members, who still refuse to assist against isis at al-Bab, that Russia on the contrary will bomb isis. US lost some face again.
I really have no idea what game the US is playing. On the one hand, it supported Turkey's entry into the Azaz-Jarabulus corridor, but on the other hand it opposed Turkey's attempt to fight against the YPG Kurds.From what i follow, i think Ruaf is bombing Tarif town, south of Al-Bab. Nonetheless it's still an important development. It's known that US doesn't wants Turkey to enter Syria more than 20 km depth. Which leaves out Al-Bab, hence not providing air-support like they did in the earlier phase of operation.
Maybe, maybe not. I don't think anyone knows for sure. Plus, there are so many conflicting points of view within the American establishment, so it's very hard to tell for sure.For a country that is claiming to fight ISIS and go in extends to provide air-support for PKK linked terrorist group PYD, not giving aerial support to it's NATO ally, means only one thing.
US wants to create a YPG belt under our southern border.
I don't think Turkey will turn its back on the West/US. Turkey will always be wary of Russia, and vice versa, regardless of how some media outlets try to spin it. Russia is a big country that's way too close to Turkey for comfort. The United States, on the other hand, is located thousands of miles away from Turkey, which means that neither country poses an existential threat to the other. Besides, Turkey is militarily highly dependent on the United States, especially with regard to its air force.Russia is just seizing the opportunity to create a rift among NATO members, also creating better ties with Turkey, the country that has great influence on FSA. As a result country wide cease fire is being reached.
Russia - Turkey rapprochement is just the cause of the bad policy of US(supporting PYD, harboring Gülen), nothing more, nothing less.
I'm waiting the to see if US's policy in Syria will change under the new administration or not.... If not we may begin Turkey slowly drifting away from US....like restrictions on US fighter jets in İncirlik airbase and so on.
Why do you think so? I wouldn't bet on 'much easier' bro. Ypg/pkk has received (a lot?) modern shit from the US and without doubt they receive intelligence from the US too. These bastards also copied isis tactics, so combined with US support they should have the capability to inflict more damage than expected, though individually i don't think they are as stubborn and unafraid to fight to death like isis. I don't think it will be that easy, but if Munbic will be set in sights, then i trust that TSK and fsa will get it sooner or later.Bombing and joint ground operations aren't exactly the same. And, you're wrong, liberating Münbiç will be much more easier for us than the current Albab operation.
Why do you think so? I wouldn't bet on 'much easier' bro. Ypg/pkk has received (a lot?) modern shit from the US and without doubt they receive intelligence from the US too. These bastards also copied isis tactics, so combined with US support they should have the capability to inflict more damage than expected, though individually i don't think they are as stubborn and unafraid to fight to death like isis. I don't think it will be that easy, but if Munbic will be set in sights, then i trust that TSK and fsa will get it sooner or later.
Never heard of him until recently, but I'm glad Kuwait has one less takfiri to worry about right now.
The Turks should continue to be wary of ISIS, even after they end up capturing al-Bab.- I doubt that ISIS is going to conduct major attacks on FSA after Al Bab falls because they will need all of their fighters in the upcoming war at Raqqa. This is our timeframe to gain as much land as possible.