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In the opposition-held town of Syria’s Azaz, the 6500-strong Hamza Brigade of the Free Syrian Army is conducting war exercises and target practices for a possible Turkish-led operation against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists in the east of the Euphrates River.
FSA Commander Seyf Abu Bakr evaluated the situation and said, “We are preparing for the east of the Euphrates with all our might. As the Free Syrian Army, our goal is to free our citizens east of the Euphrates from terror.”
The U.S.-led coalition resumed strikes targeting eastern Syria using white phosphorus munitions, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday."The Americans have resumed intensive airstrikes against terrorist-controlled settlements along the eastern bank of Euphrates, including, according to local residents, the use of white phosphorus munitions," Zakharova said.A coalition spokesperson earlier denied the use of either cluster bombs or white phosphorus munitions in urban and civilian-populated areas of eastern Syria.Syrian state news agency SANA claimed that the coalition used cluster munitions while targeting the al-Sha’afa and Hajin towns. The strikes allegedly caused civilian casualties.US-led coalition shelling kills 17 in Syria's Deir ez-ZourThe same agency stated that the coalition also used white phosphorus while striking Hajin earlier in the month.The 1977 First Additional Protocol to the 1949 Geneva Conventions bans the use of white phosphorus munitions.Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and more than 10 million others were displaced, according to UN officials.Syria Task Force to provide security in AfrinTurkey to continue firm stance on Cyprus, Syria, LibyaTurkey sends over 3 million textbooks to SyriansPrice tag for US 'war on terror' pegged at $5.9T
US strikes eastern Syria using banned phosphorus bombs, Russia says
Local tribes in Syria’s Manbij region have declared their support for Turkish efforts to rid the area of the YPG/PKK terrorist group.Leaders of the tribes, many members of which have been displaced by YPG/PKK terrorists, met recently in Jarabulus, which was liberated from the Daesh terrorist group by Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield.A total of 800 people -- including representatives of 25 tribes, the Syrian opposition's interim government and the Free Syrian Army -- attended the meeting.Attendees stressed the importance of national unity and solidarity. Some attendees held banners reading: "Yes to supporting just institutions" and "Let’s collaborate to rebuild the city".Tribal representatives, for their part, said they wanted to return to their homes and voiced support for Turkey’s efforts to rid Manbij of YPG/PKK elements.PKK bans hijab in occupied areas of NW SyriaIn a closing statement released after the meeting, attendees condemned the YPG/PKK for discriminating against the people of Manbij and its policy of trying to change the region’s demographics.Since Nov. 1, Turkish and U.S. troops have been conducting joints patrols in Manbij.The Turkish military has been conducting unilateral patrols in the region since June.A deal between Turkey and the U.S. calls for the withdrawal of all YPG/PKK terrorists from the city and region, which is located in the northeast of Syria's northern Aleppo province.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the death of some 40,000 people, including women and children. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian affiliate.Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield, which began in August of 2016 and concluded in March of last year, was aimed eliminating the terrorist threat in the Syrian regions of Jarabulus, Al-Rai, Al-Bab and Azaz with the help of the Free Syrian Army backed by Turkish air cover and artillery support.Turkey develops new projects to boost economy in Syria’s Afrin
N. Syrian tribes hail Turkey’s anti-YPG/PKK efforts
Stating that the PKK/YPG terror group persecutes locals and loots their homes in the areas that it occupies, Abu Bakr said: “We will politically and militarily purge those areas too with Turkey’s support.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signaled an impending operation against YPG terrorists east of the river, delivering last month what he said was his "final warning" to those he said endangered Turkey's southern border with Syria.
Turkish troops -- backed by the FSA -- liberated large swathes of northwestern Syria from terrorist groups during the Operation Euphrates Shield in 2016, while the Operation Olive Branch dealt a heavy blow to YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists liberating Syria's Afrin region in early 2018.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the death of some 40,000 people, including women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.