Important updates from Syria today:
The SDF's @Xelilaldar suggests the deal with the Syrian regime and Russia is limited to the border areas.
From Derek to Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ayn), and from Tal Abyad to Manbij.
Sere Kaniye and Tal Abyad are not included in the agreement.
From Derek to Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ayn), and from Tal Abyad to Manbij.
Sere Kaniye and Tal Abyad are not included in the agreement.
@Xelilaldar The SDF is hoping to create a buffer to "concentrate fighting in Sere Kaniye, Tal Abyad. In Raqqa, we have the upper hand."
@Xelilaldar The US-led coalition, he says, thinks we turned the tables against them after the agreement with Damascus and Russia. But Trump announced that the US has nothing to do with the border conflict between the Kurds and Turkey.
@Xelilaldar He says in the agreement with Damascus, we focused on applying the same agreement in Afrin (last year), and we asked for regime deployment around Afrin after we liberate it.
(He's suggesting the regime accepted to work together against Turkey in Afrin)
(He's suggesting the regime accepted to work together against Turkey in Afrin)
@Xelilaldar Importantly, he says all the areas liberated from ISIS will continue to be under the SDF control. We also discussed operations to expel Turkey from the areas around Jarablus (Euphrates Shield).
Nothing will change there about governance, this is limited to only border areas.
Nothing will change there about governance, this is limited to only border areas.
@Xelilaldar In the future, he says, we will ask to raise the "symbols of Syria" in governance institutions (flags etc).
The Arab League supports the memorandum of understanding between the SDF and Damascus, he says.
The Arab League supports the memorandum of understanding between the SDF and Damascus, he says.
@Xelilaldar On the other hand, @Dannymakkisyria reports that the agreement actually involves the abolishment of the SDF to be replaced by the regime, which already started entering parts of Raqqa.
The SDF will be part of the Russian-backed striking force 5th Corps.
The SDF will be part of the Russian-backed striking force 5th Corps.
@Xelilaldar @Dannymakkisyria From what I can see, the Kurds are being played by Damascus. They have nothing but hope that the Syrian regime will count on them in the same way the US once did.
The two sides seem to have understood the reported agreement differently.
The two sides seem to have understood the reported agreement differently.
@Xelilaldar @Dannymakkisyria But regime deployment to the border areas, and even to parts of Raqqa, seems limited in number and geography.
That's to say, less of a doomsday than yesterday but things are still murky and unpredictable.
That's to say, less of a doomsday than yesterday but things are still murky and unpredictable.
@Xelilaldar @Dannymakkisyria Both @Xelilaldar & @Dannymakkisyria refer to government military deployment in these areas, but NOT in terms of security and governance. US officials once wanted regime governance but not the military and the security (mukhabarat).
@Xelilaldar @Dannymakkisyria Also importantly, these issues have been long discussed between Damascus and the SDF/YPG. Not negotiated on the run.
@Xelilaldar @Dannymakkisyria #Turkey says it'll proceed with its incursion in Syria regardless of widespread condemnation.
Forces backed by it are entering parts of #Manbij, as the regime tries to do the same.
The 2nd race for northeastern #Syria since September 2017.
Forces backed by it are entering parts of #Manbij, as the regime tries to do the same.
The 2nd race for northeastern #Syria since September 2017.
Russia is replicating a formula that worked so well with the Syrian rebels:
SDF official says that the Russians want to negotiate “directly with Kurds” rather than with the SDF as an entity.
This is designed to de facto break/transform the SDF before taking over.
SDF official says that the Russians want to negotiate “directly with Kurds” rather than with the SDF as an entity.
This is designed to de facto break/transform the SDF before taking over.
In other words, the YPG can longer trade Arab areas for some form of Kurdish autonomy, because they‘re losing those core areas where Kurdish population is concentrated, to Turkey or surrendering to Assad; and they can’t use the SDF as a bargaining chip.
Chatter from the USG now is that much of the reporting about regime takeover in some areas is false, and that the troops are not immediately leaving. Until then, any attempts by the regime will be responded to. Things are still murky inside.
Assad protecting the Kurds.. 
