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1/ I have been trying to reach my contacts in Northern Syria since the news broke about withdrawal of U.S. troops.
Everyone I am talking to is confused. No one knows what is going on but they fear the worst.
@akhbar
Everyone I am talking to is confused. No one knows what is going on but they fear the worst.
@akhbar
2/ What the Kurdish population fears most at this stage is an Afrin-like scenario in the North of Syria.
They fear that Turkey and Turkey backed rebels will take control of territories in Northern Syria currently controlled by SDF/ YPG.
@akhbar
They fear that Turkey and Turkey backed rebels will take control of territories in Northern Syria currently controlled by SDF/ YPG.
@akhbar
3/ Without U.S. in their areas, Kurds will try to reconcile with Syrian gov. However deal is not guaranteed.
As we've seen earlier in Afrin, Kurds wanted deal with Syrian gov to avoid Turkey attack. But Russians blocked it as they were looking for better relations with Turkey.
As we've seen earlier in Afrin, Kurds wanted deal with Syrian gov to avoid Turkey attack. But Russians blocked it as they were looking for better relations with Turkey.
4/ Situation bit differnet now from Afrin as Russia might be annoyed by Turkey purchase of $3.5 billion of U.S. weapons.
In all cases, with sudden withdrawal of U.S. troops, Kurds are in position of weakness.
Any deal with Damascus better for Kurds than Turkish offensive.
In all cases, with sudden withdrawal of U.S. troops, Kurds are in position of weakness.
Any deal with Damascus better for Kurds than Turkish offensive.
5/ And this is why there is a sense of confusion & desperation when you talk to Kurds in North Syria.
They trusted that by fighting ISIS on behalf of West, they would at least get some protection from U.S./ Europe. Just like the West backs Kurds in North Iraq since early 90's.
They trusted that by fighting ISIS on behalf of West, they would at least get some protection from U.S./ Europe. Just like the West backs Kurds in North Iraq since early 90's.
6/ But now Syrian kurds are thrown under the bus by the U.S.
People on the ground in North Syria just cant understand how such decisions can be made so suddenly without any consideration to all sacrifices made.
People on the ground in North Syria just cant understand how such decisions can be made so suddenly without any consideration to all sacrifices made.
7/ I was just speaking to a source in Manbij. He says American troops are still in their positions in and around manbij.
In fact, this morning U.S. troops carried out a patrol along the frontline. "We are surprised by Trump's decision but until now no changes on the ground."
In fact, this morning U.S. troops carried out a patrol along the frontline. "We are surprised by Trump's decision but until now no changes on the ground."
8/ "If this turns out to be as bad as it sounds, then it’s a serious problem for us and the British because operationally the coalition doesn’t work without the U.S.," said one French diplomat.
mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/id…
mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/id…
9/ Turkey said Kurdish militants east of the Euphrates in Syria "will be buried in their ditches when the time comes", after President Donald Trump began what will be a total withdrawal of US troops from Syria - Anadolu state agency reported.
lbcgroup.tv/news/regional/…
@akhbar
lbcgroup.tv/news/regional/…
@akhbar
10/ First official statement from SDF commenting on Trump's decision to withdraw troops from Syria. (Arabic &English)
@akhbar
@akhbar
