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As the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and Free Syrian Army (FSA) prepare for a military operation east of the Euphrates River to eradicate terror elements of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the U.S. is once again attempting to stall Turkey with fresh tactics.
U.S. special Presidential Envoy for Iraq and Syria Brett McGurk and U.S. Special Representative for Syria James Jeffrey have taken action to deploy Peshmerga fighters to PKK-occupied areas near the Turkish border in an attempt to save its “land forces on the ground.”
There is a deployment of the "Peshmerga across the border that was done with our understanding and the understanding of the SDF,” said McGurk on Monday.
Bedel Bendi, one of the commanders of the Syrian Peshmerga or Roj Peshmerga, an armed group mainly formed by Syrian Kurds trained in the Kurdistan Regional government (KRG), stated that the Peshmerga fighters will enter northern Syria within one or two days.
Ahead of a possible Turkish counter-terrorist operation into Syria, drone footage shows YPG/PKK terrorists digging trenches and tunnels in the northern Syrian city of Ayn al-Arab, near Turkey's border. The footage shows the terrorists in the city -- right across the border from Suruc, in the southeastern Turkish province of Sanliurfa -- dug trenches and tunnels, presumably to hinder Turkish armored vehicles from crossing the border for an operation east of the Euphrates River.
YPG/PKK terrorist trenches spotted in northern Syria
The statement was published on the official website of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) led by Masoud Barzani, former KRG president.
The U.S. has worked with the SDF, a group dominated by the terrorist YPG/PYD/PKK, to fight Daesh, against Turkey's objections that working with one terror group to defeat another makes no sense.
On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that operation could begin "at any moment", asserting that Turkey would never allow a “terror corridor” to be set up along its border.
Syria’s Arab tribes are mobilizing to attack Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists in the country’s occupied northeast, in conjunction with Turkey’s imminent cross-border operation in the region. Thousands of civilians in Raqqa, Deir Ezzor and Hasakah who are fed-up of PKK abuses since their cities came under occupation by the terror group, are organizing to launch attacks against PKK targets. The Qamishli-based grouping aimed at ending PKK occupation is set to take to the streets as Turkey launches its military campaign, beginning with a wave of large-scale riots across the region.Speaking exclusively to Yeni Şafak daily, the leader of the Al-Fadli tribe revealed that anger is boiling among the people of the region against PKK oppression. “The people of Ras al-Ayn, Tal Abyad and Manbij can no longer tolerate the PKK,” he said. “650 different tribe representatives will meet on Dec. 21 in Azaz with Turkey’s support. There are many ‘foreign’ projects for the future of the region. However, the Syrian people will put an end to them together with their true ally Turkey.”On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that operation could begin "at any moment", asserting that Turkey would never allow a “terror corridor” to be set up along its border.YPG/PKK terrorist trenches spotted in northern SyriaU.S. threatens Syrian opposition against joining Turkey op Free Syrian Army (FSA) Representative Mustafa Sejeri received a call from U.S. Special Syria Representative James Jeffrey and a Pentagon official, in which he was warned against joining any Turkish operation east of the Euphrates. Pentagon-affiliated groups, Liwa al-Hamza, Liwaa 51 and the Mutasem Brigades, were all warned by high-ranking U.S. officials against joining operations in Tal Abyad, Manbij or Ras al-Ayn. “Your vehicles are being monitored via satellite; all your armored vehicles and pick-up trucks have monitoring chips in them. Groups that cross the border will pay dearly,” warned Jeffrey.In a message to the Free Syrian Army and National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (SMDK), the U.S. officials called on them to not support the planned Turkish operation."Any participation by the Syrian National Coalition or the Free Syrian Army in any way is an attack on the United States and the Coalition Forces, and it will lead to direct confrontation with Coalition Forces and the United States of America. That will fully destroy the relations between the United States and the Syrian National Coalition and the Free Army," the message read.The message further read: "U.S. forces and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) [that is, YPG/PKK] are intertwined so that the SDF cannot be attacked without aggression and confrontation with Coalition Forces and U.S. forces and advisers.""When elephants dance, you must stay away from the dance floor," the U.S. officials warned.A possible mission east of the Euphrates, which Turkey’s leadership has been suggesting for months, would follow two successful cross-border Turkish operations into Syria since 2016 – Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch – both meant to eradicate the presence of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists near Turkey’s borders.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 deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.Turkey's upcoming military op in Syria sends PKK terrorists into panic24,000-strong TAF, FSA force to take part in Turkey’s east of Euphrates op
Syrian tribes pledge full support to Turkey-led operation east of Euphrates
US envoys conduct meetings in Turkey, Iraq and Syria
Jeffrey took the first step to get the Peshmerga on board by conducting a meeting closed to the press with the Roj Peshmerga on Dec. 8 in Turkey’s southern province of Gaziantep. Five representatives of the Syrian Kurdish National Council (KNC), which is known for its ties to former KRG President Masoud Barzani, and eight U.S. representatives attended the meeting.
McGurk springs into action
According to the U.S. plan, a total of 8,000 Syrian Peshmerga fighters are expected to cross into northern Syria after having received training since 2012 at military camps in the Iraqi cities of Erbil and Duhok.
“Roj Peshmerga” fighters, as they’re called by the Americans, have been barred from returning to their hometowns for 6 years by the PKK. McGurk sprang into action following a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ahead of a possible Turkish counter-terrorist operation into Syria, drone footage shows YPG/PKK terrorists digging trenches and tunnels in the northern Syrian city of Ayn al-Arab, near Turkey's border.Video obtained by Anadolu Agency shows the terrorists in the city -- right across the border from Suruc, in the southeastern Turkish province of Sanliurfa -- dug trenches and tunnels, presumably to hinder Turkish armored vehicles from crossing the border for an operation east of the Euphrates River.In order to connect their positions near the border, the terrorists are using cement to fortify tunnels and trenches spanning two meters tall by one meter wide (6.5 feet tall, 3.2 feet wide).Video: YPG/PKK terrorist trenches spotted in northern SyriaThe footage also shows buildings thought to be local police stations with photos of terrorists on their walls.Turkey’s Operation Olive Branch, launched this January in northwestern Afrin, Syria to clear the area of terrorists, similarly encountered many YPG/PKK terrorist trenches.In October, Anadolu Agency also captured footage showing YPG/PKK terrorists surrounding Manbij, northern Syria, with the same method.A mission east of the Euphrates, which Turkey’s leadership has been suggesting for months, would follow two successful cross-border Turkish operations into Syria since 2016, both meant to eradicate the presence of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists near Turkey’s borders.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.Turkey’s leadership has said a cross-border operation against terrorists could come within days.
YPG/PKK terrorist trenches spotted in northern Syria
400 Peshmerga fighters to be initially dispatched to Syria
Following rounds of meetings between PKK/PYD terrorists and commanders trained by Brazani’s Peshmerga were held under U.S. protection. According to Peshmerga sources, it was porposed during the Syria meeting that a force of 8,000 Peshmerga fighters will be dispatched to the Turkey- Syria border.
According to a Yeni Şafak source, the first phase will see 100 Syrian Peshmerga fighters dispatched to northeast Syria, however, their numbers are expected to reach 400 in a few days.
Jeffrey also confirmed that 100 Peshmerga fighters had already crossed the border into neighboring Syria.