As Turkish Forces Prepare for an Imminent Intervention in Northeastern Syria, Regime and Opposition Forces Exchange Fire in Idlib and Hama, October 9, 2019

As Turkish Forces Prepare for an Imminent Intervention in Northeastern Syria, Regime and Opposition Forces Exchange Fire in Idlib and Hama

October 9, 2019

Editor's Note:

The following news stories are just examples of the daily horrors of war in Syria. Readers can find more detailed daily news stories at the sources below as well as many other sources in the internet.


Turkish forces prepare to invade northern Syria, October 8, 2019

The following are news stories from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) website (http://www.syriahr.com/en/):

***

In conjunction with ground shelling that targeted towns in Idlib countryside…the regime forces deploy guided-rocket launchpads in Sahl Al-Ghab and tear the area apart

SOHR, 08/10/2019

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitored heavy overflight of Russian reconnaissance planes over the southern and eastern countryside of Idlib, along with artillery shelling that targeted Hass and Kafr Oweid towns in the southern countryside of Idlib.

In the same context, the Syrian Observatory learned that the regime forces deployed a group of guided-rocket launchpads in the areas of Jisr Al-Tutah and Tal Bakir which are under the control of the regime forces and gunmen loyal to them, with the purpose of monitor the movements of vehicles on the roads of Sahl Al-Ghab’s areas, where several vehicles heading to the villages of Sahl Al-Ghab, have been targeted, without information about casualties, thus, the area from Sahl Al-Ghab to the western outskirts of Jabal Al-Zawiya becomes obstructed.

And the Syrian Observatory has documented the killing of a lieutenant officer in al-Karakat area in the northern countryside of Hama, during an exchange of targeting with light machineguns dawn of this morning, where the contact areas are witnessing clashes on a daily basis between the regime forces and militiamen loyal to them against the Jihadi and Islamic factions, and in the same context, the regime forces shelled the vicinity of al-Ziyara town and the villages of Tal Waset, al-Mansoura, Zayzoun, and Qastoun in Sahl al-Ghab at the western sector of Hama province, and Maarzita in the southern countryside of Idlib.

The Syrian Observatory monitored this afternoon the flight of Turkish warplanes in the skies of the northern countryside of Idlib, while rocket shells launched by the factions and landed on areas in al-Hwaiz, al-Jeed, and al-Rasif which are controlled by the regime forces in the western and northwestern countryside of Hama, but no information about casualties so far, while the helicopter dropped barrel bombs Tuesday morning on Jabal al-Akrad in the northern countryside of Latakia targeting Kabani area, also the ground forces of the regime shelled villages and towns of al-Tah, Ma’aret Hurmah, Babulin , outskirts of Tahtaya village, Hazarin, the Abandoned Battalion area, Taweel al-Haleeb, and al-Mshirfah in the southern and southeastern countryside of Idlib.

The Factions target the regime forces in Hama countryside in conjunction with the renew of aerial bombardment over Latakia Mountains

SOHR, 08/10/2019 Less than a minute

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitored the flight of Turkish warplanes in the skies of the northern countryside of Idlib, while rocket shells launched by the factions and landed on areas in al-Hwaiz, al-Jeed, and al-Rasif which are controlled by the regime forces in the western and northwestern countryside of Hama, but no information about casualties so far, while the helicopter dropped barrel bombs Tuesday morning on Jabal al-Akrad in the northern countryside of Latakia targeting Kabani area, also the ground forces of the regime shelled villages and towns of al-Tah, Ma’aret Hurmah, Babulin , outskirts of Tahtaya village, Hazarin, the Abandoned Battalion area, Taweel al-Haleeb, and al-Mshirfah in the southern and southeastern countryside of Idlib.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, published this morning that the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitored rocket shelling carried out by the “jihadi factions,” where they targeted positions of the “regime forces” in Na’ouret Shatha in the western countryside of Hama, while the regime forces targeted using heavy artillery shells the Scientific Research area in the western suburbs of Aleppo city just before midnight of yesterday, but no information about casualties, while the cautious calm prevails the whole area of “Putin – Erdogan” since after midnight until the moment, amid intense flight of Russian reconnaissance drones, especially over the eastern areas of Idlib countryside west of Abu al-Duhur and areas of the Abandoned Battalion and Tawil al-Haleeb.

The Turkish base shell the areas of deployment of the Kurdish forces in Menagh Military Airbase’s perimeter by heavy artillery

08/10/2019 Less than a minute

Aleppo Province – The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitored the fall of shells on Maryamin town and the perimeter of Menagh Military Airbase, whose source is the Turkish base in Mare’ town north-east of Aleppo, without information about casualties so far, and the SOHR published on the 5th of October 2019, that it monitored new targeting carried out by pro-Turkey factions, using heavy machineguns and mortars, targeting positions of the Kurdish forces spread in the towns of Ayn Daqneh and Biloniyya north of Aleppo, without information about human losses so far.

The Turkish forces target the vicinity of Ras Al-Ayn area by shells and heavy machineguns, in conjunction with the arrival of new batches of factions loyal to Turkey to the latter’s territory in the frame of the anticipated military operation

SOHR, 08/10/2019

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitored the fall of shells fired by the Turkish forces on the vicinity and outskirts of Ras Al-Ayn area at the border strip east of the Euphrates, along with targeting the area by heavy machineguns, without information about casualties so far, other than that, cautious calm prevails the whole area of east Euphrates, and this was coincided with the arrival of more factions loyal to Turkey in the Turkish territory at the border strip with Syria, as a part of preparation for the anticipated Turkish military operation which may be launched on the area of East Euphrates at any time, amid continued alertness by the military councils in the east of Euphrates and the Syria Democratic Forces.

And the Syrian Observatory published hours ago, that Turkey-loyal factions continue to mobilize and prepare themselves in areas of “Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch” in Aleppo countryside, in order to join previous batches in the vicinity of Manbij area, and into the Turkish territory at the border strip opposite the east Euphrates area, within the framework of the anticipated military operation by the Turkish Forces and Syrian factions loyal to them against the area, and the Syrian Observatory published after midnight that the Syrian Observatory for human Rights monitored the entry of a Turkish military column to Jarabulus area at the border with Turkey, where the column was deployed in the area a short time ago, while the Syrian Observatory has received information about the fact that the pro-Turkey factions will head from Afrin area and the areas of “Euphrates Shield” to the vicinity of Manbij to participate in the anticipated military operation.

And the SOHR published hours ago, that media outlets close and loyal to the “Syrian regime” are still continuing to release lies about targeting the Syrian territory by Turkish aircraft today evening, Monday, sources of the Syrian Observatory for human Rights confirmed that the news about Turkish airstrikes on the Syrian territory, as the regime’s media claims, is completely false, and the sources added to the SOHR that the Turkish airstrikes took place on positions in Iraq, while 2 shells coming from the Turkish side, fell inside the Syrian territory within a deserted and unpopulated area, and the SOHR monitored today evening, that tens of trucks of the International Coalition have entered from Kurdistan Region of Iraq to the north-east of Syria, and there number reached about 80 cargo trucks, including military vehicles, and this action comes despite the U.S. decision for a pullout from the SDF’s controlled areas, thus, the number of trucks which entered the areas of east Euphrates since the International Coalition and the Syria Democratic Forces announced their control over the east of Euphrates in late March 2019, raised to at least 3130, within 29 batches.

Also sources informed the Syrian Observatory, that Turkish aircraft flew over the border triangle between Turkey – Syria – Iraq, near Al-Malikiyah (Dayrik), in conjunction with launching 2 shells by the Turkish forces on a group that tried to cross to the Turkish side opposite “Khanki” village, where the shells fell in an unpopulated territory without causing any damage.

ANKARA

Turkey is ready to launch another operation in northern Syria to secure its borders by eliminating terrorist elements to ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees and Syria’s territorial integrity.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Sunday that Turkey is ready to launch "Operation Peace Spring" east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria to clear the region of terrorists.

"It is maybe today or tomorrow the time to clear the way for [our] peace efforts which is set and the process for them was started,” Erdogan said.

Erdogan reiterated that his country aims to establish peace east of the Euphrates River by purging the Syrian region from terrorists.

"Turkey backs the territorial integrity of Syria and the political and administrative unity of Syrians,” he said earlier.

He added that the only reason for Turkey’s presence in Syria is that the terror threat towards its borders has turned into a barrier which is preventing the return of Syrians.

"Since the beginning of the crisis in Syria, we have supported the territorial integrity of this country, and we will continue to support it," said Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Turkey has no designs on any country's territory, said presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin, referring to a possible operation in northern Syria.

"As part of Syria's territorial integrity, the safe zone plan has two purposes: to secure our borders by eliminating terror elements and to ensure the safe return of refugees," Kalin added.

Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011, when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests.

Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and more than 10 million others displaced, according to UN officials.

Turkey has been the main route for refugees trying to cross to Europe since 2011, when the civil war in Syria began.

Establishment of safe zone in northern Syria

Turkey has long championed the idea of terrorist-free safe zones in Syria and stressed ridding the area of the terrorist YPG/PKK, the Syrian branch of the PKK, as well as resettling Syrian migrants currently in Turkey.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

Since 2011, over 5 million civilians have become refugees, and Turkey hosts over 3.6 million of them, being the country hosting the highest number of refugees in the world.

The country stressed that forming a safe zone is essential for eliminating the PKK-YPG terror threat and for the safe return of Syrian refugees to their country.

Turkey considers the Syrian refugee issue a humanitarian issue and will let Syrians safely return to their homes.

Erdogan said Turkey planned to settle 2 million Syrians in a 30-kilometer-wide safe zone to be set up in Syria starting from the Euphrates River to the Iraqi border, including Manbij.

Cavusoglu voiced displeasure that a planned safe zone could not be established and accused the U.S. of not keeping its promises in northern Syria due to its engagement with the PKK/YPG terror group.

Turning to ongoing efforts to establish a safe zone, Turkey’s presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said if Turkey encounters any stalling or misconduct by the U.S., Turkey could set up the zone by itself.

Kalin also discussed the safe zone issue with several U.S. envoys such as U.S. special envoy for the anti-Daesh coalition James Jeffrey, National Security Adviser Robert C. O’Brien and former national security adviser John Bolton.

On Aug. 7, Turkish and U.S. military officials agreed to set up a safe zone in northern Syria and develop a peace corridor to facilitate the movement of displaced Syrians who want to return home. They also agreed to establish a joint operations center.

U.S. and Turkish troops carried out their first joint ground patrol for the zone on Sept. 9.

While Turkey welcomes the joint patrols, it has also said the U.S. is not doing enough to set up the safe zone properly.

Erdogan described the land and air patrols carried out with the U.S. as “nothing but a tale.”

He also said that a total of 360,000 Syrians had returned to areas cleared of terrorists with Turkey's anti-terror operations.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated his administration's commitment to pulling back troops from Syria.

Safe Zone: peace corridor

"The United States Armed Forces will not support or be involved in the [Turkish] operation, and United States forces, having defeated the ISIS [Daesh] territorial 'Caliphate,' will no longer be in the immediate area," the White House said late Sunday.

Turkish operations

Since 2016, Turkey’s Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations in northwestern Syria have liberated the region from YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists, making it possible for Syrians who had escaped the violence to return home.

Operation Euphrates Shield, which was launched on Aug. 24, 2016, is in line with the country’s right to self-defense borne out of international treaties.

Turkey’s operation was a response to terrorist attacks on Turkish soil and artillery fire by Daesh militants in Syria on targets inside Turkey. Daesh carried out rocket attacks and suicide attacks especially on large provinces of Turkey from Daesh-held territory in Syria.

The Daesh-controlled territory comprised a roughly 100-kilometer borderline in the Azaz-Jarablus region of northern Syria which is located 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the Turkish-Syrian border.

With this operation, Turkey aimed to prevent the PKK from forming a terror corridor stretching from west of the Euphrates River to Syria’s northwestern Afrin district and to ensure the security of the line between Azaz city and town of Cobanbey in Syria's Aleppo province near the Turkish border by eliminating terror elements.

Afrin has been a major hideout for the PYD/PKK since July 2012 when the Assad regime left the city to the terror group without putting up a fight.

“Right now, unfortunately, all the attacks which happened in Gaziantep and Kilis... brought this issue to this point,” said President Erdogan when the operation was launched.

“You cannot divide our nation. You cannot lower our flag. You cannot smash up our homeland, our state. You cannot silence our call to prayer. You cannot bring this county to your knees. You cannot bring to heel these people,” Erdogan added.

Erdogan also said that his government wants to build settlements in the safe zone for Syrian refugees in Turkey to return to their country, or for those in Syria who seek to flee the ongoing bloodshed.

“The aim of the Jarablus operation is to clear all terrorist elements, including Daesh and the YPG,” said presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin.

Kalin stressed that necessary steps will continue to be taken to protect Turkey’s border security and Syria’s territorial integrity.

Operation Olive Branch

The Turkish General Staff announced on Jan. 20, 2018 Operation Olive Branch had been launched in Syria’s Afrin district to establish security and stability on its borders and region, to eliminate terrorists of the PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh and to save its friends and brothers from the terrorists’ oppression and cruelty.

The operation was conducted under the framework of Turkey’s rights based on international law, UN Security Council decisions, especially no. 1624 (2005), 2170 (2014) and 2178 (2014), and as per the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN charter, while being respectful to Syria’s territorial integrity.

Turkey informed the regime in Syria through a written note to prove that the country was acting in accordance with international law.

"We are not occupying Afrin. On the contrary, we are trying to make it a livable place for the real owners while clearing out terrorists from there,” said Erdogan, reiterating its aim to build peace in the region.

Erdogan said the operation was a "clear warning" to those who did not want to understand Turkey's determination in the fight against terrorism.

"After clearing them [terrorists], we will hand the region over to its real owners; namely, we will hand it over to Syrians,” said Cavusoglu.

Kalin reiterated that Turkey’s priority during the operation is to maintain security at its borders and to secure the lives and property of its citizens.

“Operation Olive Branch is directed only against terrorist groups, not any ethnic group,” Kalin added.

The operation only targeted terrorists and their shelters and weapons and material belonging to them, said the Turkish General Staff. It said the operation will also take sensitivity into account and no civilian/innocent person would be harmed.

Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.

***

Share the link of this article with your facebook friends

This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.