Syria and Kurds to Ally Against Turkish Aggression?
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), government and Kurdish YPG forces will ally to confront Turkish aggression in Afrin, “popular forces” expected to arrive in hours, adding:
“The Turkish regime has been waging a barbaric aggression on Afrin area for almost a month, using various types of weapons and shells including the internationally-prohibited chlorine gas, killing and injuring hundreds of civilians and destroying infrastructure, properties, and historical landmarks.”
Addressing Russia’s Valdai Discussion Club on Monday, Assad political and media advisor Bouthaina Shaaban accused Turkey of aiding terrorists and waging aggression in northern Syria - flagrantly breaching the “cessation of hostilities agreement.”
She thanked Russian and Iranian efforts to resolve years of conflict. “Turkish and US aggression prevent” resolution, adding “perhaps that is one of the goals of the aggression.”
Indeed it’s a US goal, seeking regime change, destruction of Syrian sovereignty and its territorial integrity, wanting another imperial trophy, isolating Iran ahead of targeting its legitimate government the same way.
Days earlier during a Security Council session, Syrian UN envoy Bashar al-Jaafari said the US-led coalition’s main task is “supporting terrorists in Syria.”
The presence of US forces in the country flagrantly violates Security Council Resolution 2254, affirming Syria’s sovereign independence, territorial integrity, and right of its people alone to choose their governance, free from foreign interference.
Responding to reports about Syrian forces entering Afrin within hours, Turkish Foreign Minister Melvut Cavusoglu said “the question is will (they) enter Afrin or not.”
“If they come to clear it from the YPG, there are no problems. If they support (these fighters), no one will stop us. This applies to Afrin, Manbij, and the east of the Euphrates.”
Separately, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said “(a)ny decision (by Damascus) to send forces to Afrin…will have disastrous consequences for the region.”
On Monday, Erdogan told Putin by phone that Turkish forces will “continue…advanc(ing) towards Afrin with determination,” warning of “consequences” if Damascus intervenes.
According to Lebanon’s Al-Masdar News, Turkish forces are heavily bombarding Afrin, saying it’s to prevent Syrian troops from entering the area.
A similar Al Mayadeen television report said heavy shelling kept them from advancing to the area.
Kurdish fighters need their support. Washington betrayed them, largely siding with Turkey.
Syria hasn’t formally confirmed an agreement with YPG Kurds to enter Afrin. Kurdish official Badran Jia Kurd said a military deal was reached with Damascus, political and administrative matters to be discussed later.
If Syrian and Turkish forces confront each other in Afrin, how will Washington and Moscow respond - an important unanswered question.
Resolving years of conflict in Syria remains elusive because Obama and now Trump want war and regime change, not restoration of peace and stability.
That’s the key issue Russian diplomacy hasn’t resolved - nor likely ahead given Washington’s rage for dominance.
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