BREAKING: The Syrian Democratic Forces officially confirm they are letting Assad's troops into their territory in a bid to stop the Turkish onslaught.
SDF: "To protect the country's borders and preserve Syrian sovereignty the Syrian army will enter and deploy along the Syrian-Turkish border to support the SDF to repel this aggression and liberate the areas entered by the Turkish army and its hired mercenaries."
We don't know exactly where Assad will take over. And we don't know if this will bring an immediate halt to the Turkish offensive.
But we do know this is a death knell for Kurdish hopes of maintaining autonomy from Assad in their semi-state in northeast Syria.
But we do know this is a death knell for Kurdish hopes of maintaining autonomy from Assad in their semi-state in northeast Syria.
Mazloum Kobani Abdi, the SDF commander, put it this way: "If we have to choose between compromises and the genocide of our people, we will surely choose life for our people."
Turkish nationalist music is echoing through the the streets of the southern city of Şanlıurfa as news of the Turkish victory spreads. People are blaring car horns in celebration.
We don't know the exact details of what the Kurds will cede to Assad.
But in coming days much of what is yellow (Kurdish control) will turn to red (Assad control) on this map.
But in coming days much of what is yellow (Kurdish control) will turn to red (Assad control) on this map.
The SDF are framing this as them and Assad joining forces to fight Turkey and take back Syrian territory.
Much more likely is that Russia has, or will, broker a deal with the Turks so Assad and Erdoğan don't open fire on eachother.
Much more likely is that Russia has, or will, broker a deal with the Turks so Assad and Erdoğan don't open fire on eachother.
