Syrian War: News #20

US wants to impose arms embargo on Turkey

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In the United States, close associates of President Donald Trump are calling for an arms embargo and other sanctions against Turkey. Trump, publicly confining himself to only rare statements and not entering into direct conflict with Ankara, expresses tacit approval of these initiatives.


Image source: topwar.ru

Senator Lindsay Graham called for sanctions against Turkey. Restrictions should include an arms embargo. The bill appeared only a few hours after Turkish troops and their satellites launched a new operation in northeastern Syria, primarily aimed at the defeat of the U.S.-supported Syrian Democratic Army, or SDF, consisting mainly of Kurdish forces.
Senator Graham, who in recent years has been a staunch supporter of Trump, but recently expressing a series of doubts about the head of state’s foreign policy, called on the president to take a tougher line that opposes interference. Trump, for his part, issued a statement saying that he considers Turkey’s actions a “bad idea,” noting, among other things, the possibility of “destroying the [Turkish] economy” if it behaves in a way that it considers inappropriate. However, the American president made it clear that he did not intend to more decisively intervene diplomatically or militarily in order to block the advance of Turkish or Turkish-backed forces.
The clear goal of the sanctions bill is to force Trump's hand or otherwise drive the Turkish military into a dead end. Among the most important of the proposed provisions is the almost complete US embargo on arms supplies to Turkey.

The bill may hit Russia

If the bill is adopted, it can greatly affect the entire defense sector of Turkey. The bill "prohibits the sale of US defense products, services, technologies, materials to the Turkish armed forces" and "the sale and transfer of ammunition to the Turkish armed forces." It also imposes sanctions on any foreigners who sell airplanes, vehicles and other “weapons or defense products” to the Turkish military. It turns out that any firms involved in the supply of weapons to Ankara, including Russia, can be sanctioned. But the whole point is that Russian defense enterprises are already (for the most part) under American sanctions.
Emphasizing how significant the embargo could be, in July 2019 there were reports that the Turkish government kept spare parts for the F-16, including in case the US government imposed sanctions in the light of Ankara’s purchase of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system.

US has imposed embargo on Turkey

This is not the first time that the United States has imposed an arms embargo on Turkey. The U.S. government stopped selling arms to the country in 1975 in response to a Turkish invasion of Northern Cyprus.
The embargo lasted until 1978 and had a serious impact on the capabilities of the Turkish armed forces. New restrictions on the sale of weapons may be more significant. The Turkish Air Force, for example, is one of the largest F-16 operators, with 245 F-16C / D of different versions.

https://vpk.name/news/334366_v_ssha_hotyat_vvesti_embargo_na_postavki_oruzhiya_dlya_turcii.html?new#new

^^^
If this goes through, the Turks will get even chummier with Russia and who knows, they might even kick the US out of Incirilik airbase which is the most important US/Nato airbase in the region

PapaDragon wrote:Which reminds me of a local joke from back in the 90s about Milosevic and Saddam having a phone conversation:

Milosevic: Saddam buddy, do you have any tips on what to do in case your country gets bombed?

Saddam: That's easy, just kick the Kurds out in the streets to catch the bombs.  

 

Well not that long ago (historically speaking), the Kurds were quite happy to do the dirty work for the Ottoman empire in that exact piece of land which they know claim as their own

^^^It amazes how the 'Civilized World' forgot that the Kurds were one of the main perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide, so when I hear about the Kurds engaging in ethnic cleansing of Assyrians I can believe it!

Pathetic, now the Kurds want to negotiate with the SAA...it wasn't so long ago they were shelling their positions, where they were non-state actor pawns for US/Israeli ambitions of divide and conquer....oh this should be good!

Kurds want help from Russian aerospace forces to create a no-fly zone
Today, 06:38
5

The command of the Syrian Kurds, members of the "Forces of Democratic Syria" (SDS), demanded that the United States either stop the offensive of the Turkish forces and the Syrian Free Army (FSA), or give permission for negotiations with Damascus and Moscow with the aim of creating a Russian airborne forces without a zone in the north- east of Syria. It is reported by CNN with reference to an interdepartmental document of the US government.




According to the transcript available to the channel, last Thursday a meeting was held between the commander of the Kurdish forces as part of the SDS Mazlum Kobani Abdi and US deputy special envoy to the international coalition against IS (forbidden in Russia) William Rubak. At the meeting, Kobani accused the US of betraying the Kurds and demanded either to stop the Turkish operation "Source of Peace", or to give the opportunity to conclude an agreement with Damascus and Moscow, so that the Russian air forces closed the airspace over northeast Syria.

You do not want to protect people and you do not want other forces to protect us. You sold us. It is immoral. I need to know if you are able to protect my people and stop the bombing or not. I need to know this, because if you are not able to do this, I will need to conclude an agreement with Russia and the regime in order to invite their aviation to defend this region

- leads CNN statement Kobani.

According to the channel, the US representative asked "not to make any decisions immediately" and convey the words of the commander to the US State Department, assuring that Washington is doing everything possible to stop the Turkish operation.

Earlier, Reuters reported that the Kurdish command requested the United States to create a no-fly zone over northeastern Syria, since the main losses of the Kurds are due to Turkish air strikes.



https://topwar.ru/163501-kurdy-hotjat-pomoschi-rossijskih-vks-po-sozdaniju-bespoletnoj-zony.html

Sounds like Turkey either needs to do as it is told, or it needs to diversify its sources of military equipment and re-evaluate who it considers a friend...

US bomb their own G.I's in "friendly fires" to remind them who is the boss.

My father used to say that in WWII if it was the Germans bombing the Brits and allies would duck for cover, and when the Brits were bombing the Germans and the Axis would duck for cover, but when the Americans were bombing everyone ducked for cover...

I think Russia / Iran / Syria / Iraq / Turkey can make conditional offer to kurds ( SDF) of protection, IF :

( 1)  They renounce the idea of separate Kurdistan in Syria or Turkey or Iraq or Iran.

( 2) They renounce idea of  formation of Kurd only ethnic political party.

( 3)  They give up weapons or amalgamate into SAA.

( 4) They agree not to station foreign troops in Kurd areas without dicision  of government.

( 5) They allow kurds to participate in national elections.

( 6) They dissolve all SDF combat groups. Publish names of members.

( 7)  Government to bring laws to stop discrimination.



................. Otherwise it won't work.

Isos wrote:

Pathetic, now the Kurds want to negotiate with the SAA...it wasn't so long ago they were shelling their positions, where they were non-state actor pawns for US/Israeli ambitions of divide and conquer....oh this should be good!

SAA won't help them. If they protect the kurds fighters they will ask for independance in 10 years still with the help of USA.

Leting turks destroys them has three advantages for them. 1st it destroys NATO. 2nd it destroys US reputation. 3rd it removes the kurds problem for Assad because it will be better accepted if he attacks those terrorists supported by turkey than if he attacks kurds rebellion in 5 or 10 years.

SAA could help them, but not that fast. First start negotiate a deal of a status of Syria eastern of Euphrates and to get rid of all US troops from there. After that SAA and Russian army will come to protect. In the mean time Turkey will have enough time to bring Kurds to the common sense. If Kurds could not send home US troops from whole Syrian territory, than no help from SAA. Either US elither SAA, you could not have both.

It's no secret that Kurds dug this hole for themselves

They got themselves in the situation when even if they offer everything to Syria it's still more advantageous for Syria to let Turks properly tenderize them until they lose most of the potential to pose major problems for Syrian state

They should have been offering this deal back before Afrin

The Kurds will not seek Russian/Syrian help.

The US will not allow them to do this. Short of the Kurds attacking US personnel, which given the circumstances would be suicidal (in terms of PR).

They've dug their own hole with idiotic attempts at 'free glorious Kurdistan'.

Ultimately they never achieved anything without massive US backing.

PapaDragon wrote:
It's no secret that Kurds dug this hole for themselves

They got themselves in the situation when even if they offer everything to Syria it's still more advantageous for Syria to let Turks properly tenderize them until they lose most of the potential to pose major problems for Syrian state

They should have been offering this deal back before Afrin

I agree with this, break the back of the Kurds for good. And this is a great opportunity to do that.

nero wrote:The Kurds will not seek Russian/Syrian help.

The US will not allow them to do this. Short of the Kurds attacking US personnel, which given the circumstances would be suicidal (in terms of PR).

They've dug their own hole with idiotic attempts at 'free glorious Kurdistan'.

Ultimately they never achieved anything without massive US backing.

At some point the Kurds will seek Russian help(I don't think they will go directly to Assad but to Russia).

The US is going to pull out another 1000 troops from Syria.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-towns-report/report-syrian-army-to-enter-sdf-held-kobani-manbij-idUSKBN1WS0K0

The Lebanese broadcaster al-Mayadeen said on Sunday the Syrian army would deploy within 48 hours to the town of Kobani which is held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and the nearby town of Manbij which is controlled by SDF-aligned forces.
The towns fall within a swathe of northern Syria controlled by the SDF that is currently being targeted in an offensive by Turkey and Turkey-backed Syrian rebel groups

This is a big mistake...  

Syrian army moving to face 'Turkish aggression' in country's north – state media

https://www.rt.com/news/470859-syria-army-turkey-agression/

Now the Americans will be the ones to sit down and watch ,and turkey will be the ones that will continue
the war against Syria ,in their place..  If Syrian army somehow manage to pressure Turkey to leave Syria
after losing many thousands soldiers , later the Kurds with US will kick Syrian army from their zones..
Kurds will never resign to their Kurdistant project..

This entire move not only threaten the advances achieved by Syrian army ,if they invite Turkey into a a full scale
military confrontation with them. . but also threatens the relationship between Russia and Turkey .. This is kind of selfish what Syria government is doing.. Is not only Syria security what is important..but Russia security is important too.. and creating conditions for a fight between Russia and Turkey ,to happen ,is something that will benefit Americans.. So This is a bad move.. and could reverse a lot of  Russia gains in Syria , if suddenly a full scale war start between Russia and TUrkey. The Syrian army don't have the capabilities to alone recover the north..fighting Turkey +Americans + Kurds that will be fighting them..  that all 3 factions wanted to See Syria destroyed.. it needs Rusia help.. So Syria needs to coordinate everything with Russia..  North of Syria is occupied by Americans,France and Kurds and Syrian army was not fighting them.. so what makes them believe they can fight them now? but also Turkey?  Did they think Americans will join Syrian side to fight Turkey?

This is a huge mistake...and it could threaten even the entire relationship between Syria government and Russia.
Russia is not interested in fighting Turkey ,Kurds or americans for piece of land that is not theirs.. and that is not really important for the continuation of Syria existence.. and could later be taken back with diplomacy.

This could force Turkey to go in full against Syrian army now ,because they know americans will not fight them..
and Put Russia in a very difficult position of not taking any sides.. So this new Syria military move ,threatens the entire nation future.. while a huge army of the Syrian army fighting Turkey..are they aware ,Americans can start a new offensive on damascus from the Jordan border? This is ridiculous stupid.. Is in invitation to US ,Israel ,and members of Syrian democratic forces allied with Kurds to fight the syrian military in other front lines..

Hopefully Putin stop this madness ,because this confrontation between Turkey and Syria will encourage US
and Israel to restart the war on Syria and take advantage of this vulnerable moment. IF Syrian army forced to retreat by Turkey ,they can end retreating all the way to Russian base.. and they will later need help from Russia to dialogue with Turkey.. is a bad idea.  Assad need to understand that being right...and being legitimate their actions not necessarily means is always a good idea..  It could be legitimate to refuse to give your money ,to a robber aiming you with a gun,demanding it , but it will be foolish to sacrifice your life for material things ,specially if later you can recover it. in this case ,what is at risk is the entire Advances of Russia military ..
Since Russia could be forced to abandon Syria by Putin ,if he choose his nation interest first.. and refuse to fight Turkey..

In summary this new confrontation that Syria government is pushing against turkey . benefits enormously
all Russian enemies.. US and ISrael.. because it will require from Russia a massive full scale deployment of military for Russia to hold turkey from any advance.. Something that i doubt many Russian citizens will support.
to help a nation that Russians don't want to integrate , and sacrifice their economy ,fighting for the interest of foreign nations will not be seen with good eyes in most Russia population.

Lots of reports that the Syrian government and the SDF have made a deal. SDF preparing to quickly hand over regions.

Reports are here:

"Syrian Kurdish leader says deal reached with Damascus and Moscow": https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/86966e18-1977-4924-b17d-606097dabc53
"Self Administration of NE Syria announces an agreement with Syrian Government to protect Syrian borders with SDF against Turkey. It will also help liberating all areas from Turkey including Afrin": https://twitter.com/mutludc/status/1183459298090934272
"Next few days, two #Syria-n army divisions will be deployed to #Hasaka (includes #Qamishli) and #Dier_Elzour governorates as part of the agreement between #SDF and #Damascus. The operation will be led by Brigadier General Suhail Al - Hassan.": https://twitter.com/FerasKilaniBBC
"The Syria Army to also take control of At-Tabqa (Ath Thawrah), Tabqa Dam and the East & West countrysides of Raqqa within hours.": https://twitter.com/Brasco_Aad/status/1183446044996177924

Hard to tell what is true, but I am interested to see what will come of it.

zorobabel wrote:Lots of reports that the Syrian government and the SDF have made a deal. SDF preparing to quickly hand over regions.

Reports are here:

"Syrian Kurdish leader says deal reached with Damascus and Moscow": https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/86966e18-1977-4924-b17d-606097dabc53
"Self Administration of NE Syria announces an agreement with Syrian Government to protect Syrian borders with SDF against Turkey. It will also help liberating all areas from Turkey including Afrin": https://twitter.com/mutludc/status/1183459298090934272
"Next few days, two #Syria-n army divisions will be deployed to #Hasaka (includes #Qamishli) and #Dier_Elzour governorates as part of the agreement between #SDF and #Damascus. The operation will be led by Brigadier General Suhail Al - Hassan.": https://twitter.com/FerasKilaniBBC
"The Syria Army to also take control of At-Tabqa (Ath Thawrah), Tabqa Dam and the East & West countrysides of Raqqa within hours.": https://twitter.com/Brasco_Aad/status/1183446044996177924

Hard to tell what is true, but I am interested to see what will come of it.

Most likely fake news. Kurdistan 24 as the source lmao, no one's going to save the Kurdled Cheese from spoiling. They dug their own grave, now they have to lie in it.

magnumcromagnon wrote:
Most likely fake news. Kurdistan 24 as the source lmao, no one's going to save the Kurdled Cheese from spoiling. They dug their own grave, now they have to lie in it.

Not just Kurdistan 24. Also RT, Mazlum Kobani (Commander-in-chief of the SDF), and the SDF directly. Here is the translated text from the SDF announcing the agreement: https://twitter.com/mutludc/status/1183465864693211139

Ivan Sidorenko is receiving reports from SAA soldiers who are now moving into SDF regions: https://www.reddit.com/r/syriancivilwar/comments/dheyia/ivansidorenko1_translations_needed_syrian_army/

Looks like the beginning of the end...

The Americans are pulling out and looks like they will only keep Al-Tanf...the YPG is suppose become part of the SAA, which has already entered Manbij and  Eastern Syria

#BREAKING: Video recorded 5 minutes ago shows people of #Hasakah celebrating arrival of the first group of #Syria Arab Army troops. #SAA is going to help #SDF to confront #Turkish Army & its Islamic terrorist groups in #Manbij & other cities tonight! (Credit: Sylva Assia)
https://twitter.com/BabakTaghvaee/status/1183465959438409733

The main checkpoint outside #Qamishli is deserted, not even one #SDF fighter on it. It’s over, the whole dream finished, Kurdish friend told me crying.


https://mobile.twitter.com/FerasKilaniBBC/status/1183425547155787777



Mazlum Kobani (Commander-in-chief of the SDF): "We know that we would have to make painful compromises with Moscow and Assad. But if we have to choose between compromises and the genocide of our people, we will surely choose life for our people."

https://mobile.twitter.com/CivilWarMap/status/1183459236799504384