"The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which consist mainly of members of various Kurdish armed groups, declared on October 31 that they had halted their operation against ISIS in the Euphrates Valley because of Turkish attacks on their positions in northern Syria.
The SDF blamed Turkey for its own inability to eliminate the ISIS-held area of Hajin in the Euphrates Valley and called on the so-called international community to pressure Ankara to stop its strikes on SDF targets. The SDF also vowed to retaliate to attacks.
On October 30, October 31 and November 1, clashes between the Turkish military and units of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) were reported near the towns of Ayn Arab, also known as Kobani, and Tel Abyad. According to pro-Turkish sources, at least 4 members of the YPG and the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) were killed and 6 others were injured there. The YPG claimed that its members had destroyed a Turkish military truck with an anti-tank guided missile.
As to the situation in the Hajin area, over the past few days ISIS units have achieved a notable progress in clashes with the SDF recapturing multiple positions from the US-backed group. The halt of the SDF operation there will likely contribute further to ISIS expansion in the direction of the Iraqi border." SF
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James Jeffrey, the neocon US representative in the Syria/Iraq situation is busy placating both Turkey and Israel at the expense of the SAG and the poor bloody Kurds and Arabs of the SDF/YPG. Jeffrey has said that he hopes the Russians will allow Israel to keep bombing supposed Iranian facilities at will and his efforts on behalf of Erdogan's ambitions in northern Syria and Iraq seem to know no bounds. Trump said today at his disgraceful presser (his fault and that of the media) that Jeffrey "fits in with the Pompeo team." Evidently that is so.
Meanwhile out in the Euphrates Valley, the high command of the SDF/YPG have withdrawn their forces (probably against US wishes) from the too long delayed offensive against the IS held Hajin Pocket near the rod crossing into Iraq.
The reason? The Turks are busily attacking YPG forces up north near the Turkish border. Surprise! The Kurds think they need to go fight the Turks rather than serve the US desire to keep one of the two land routes from Syria to Iran closed.
I have been busy with things electoral this week but this development deserves attention. pl
