It's very early and the situation is very fluid.
But it may be that we see a fullscale Kurdish surrender to the Assad regime tonight. Abandoned by the US, it looks like SDF will try to spare their cities from Turkish onslaught by allowing Syrian forces to take them over.
But it may be that we see a fullscale Kurdish surrender to the Assad regime tonight. Abandoned by the US, it looks like SDF will try to spare their cities from Turkish onslaught by allowing Syrian forces to take them over.
There are widespread reports that the Kurds are allowing Assad regime troops to take control of Kobani, Qamishli, Manbij, and other key cities.
The deal was apparently brokered in a meeting with Russian commanders earlier.
The deal was apparently brokered in a meeting with Russian commanders earlier.
If it's true (again it's unconfirmed) it is desperately sad news.
The Kurdish experiment in autonomy in NE Syria was not perfect. But for many it was a hopeful spot of freedom in a region full of horror and tyranny.
The Kurdish experiment in autonomy in NE Syria was not perfect. But for many it was a hopeful spot of freedom in a region full of horror and tyranny.
Tweets like this capture the sentiment as news spreads in NE Syria.
From the sentimental to the practical.
If it's true, it means the Turkish offensive has succeeded faster and more completely than Erdoğan could have dreamed.
The Kurdish statelet is dead and Assad - who Erdoğan doesn't like but can do business with - is back in charge.
If it's true, it means the Turkish offensive has succeeded faster and more completely than Erdoğan could have dreamed.
The Kurdish statelet is dead and Assad - who Erdoğan doesn't like but can do business with - is back in charge.
It's also a huge win for Assad, practically without firing a shot.
Much of what is yellow on this map (Kurdish control) may soon be red (Assad control).
We still don't know exactly what the Kurds are ceding but it sounds extensive.
Much of what is yellow on this map (Kurdish control) may soon be red (Assad control).
We still don't know exactly what the Kurds are ceding but it sounds extensive.
Assad's secret police are likely to take revenge on some people, as they have everywhere else they have reconquered.
But the Kurds did not challenge Assad's authority as directly as the Sunni rebels. So the vengeance may be less severe than it was in Aleppo etc.
But the Kurds did not challenge Assad's authority as directly as the Sunni rebels. So the vengeance may be less severe than it was in Aleppo etc.
For many Syrian rebels, this will confirm their suspicions that the Kurds were always basically pro-Assad.
But that isn't fair. And consider this: unlike ISIS, unlike many rebels, the Kurds seem to have folded early to spare their people the horrors of an unwinnable siege.
But that isn't fair. And consider this: unlike ISIS, unlike many rebels, the Kurds seem to have folded early to spare their people the horrors of an unwinnable siege.
A few essential follows as we see what tonight brings in northeast Syria: my colleague @Josiensor and the great
@Elizrael, @FerasKilaniBBC, @LizSly.
@Elizrael, @FerasKilaniBBC, @LizSly.
