Turkish intentions in north Syria are clear

  Ops


"Recently, the Russian Aerospace Forces have turned their attention to Jisr Al-Shughour, following failed talks with the Turkish military regarding the transfer of the town to the Syrian government. "  TTG

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 The Turks have now wrapped the un-recovered part of Idlib Province in a chain of "observation posts" of  company sized task forces.   These extend across the northern boundary of the province and then SE to one just northwest of Aleppo City, then south down the east side of the province to Khan Sheikoon near the Hama Province border.  There is one in Idlib City the capital of the province.  And as TTG wrote there is one in or near Jisr Al-Shughour on the west side of the province where a main road runs down from the mountains to the west and ultimately from the Mediterranean Coast and the Russian air base complex.

IMO the Russian were been duped by the Turks into allowing this creeping occupation under the terms of what was supposed to be the creation of a de-escalation zone in the province.  Effectively, the Turks are blocking government re-occupation of the province once the jihadis in the south of the country are cleansed. 

The Russians appear to have "twigged" to the flim-flam trickery the Turks are using against them and are now softening up targets around Jisr Al-Shugour in preparation of an SAA offensive from the west.

It will be very interesting to see what Turkish reaction will bet.  The Atrak (Turks) have a lot on their plate.  pl 

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