PHOTO: Claimed image of Kurdish fighter in Hasakah (ANHA News)


LATEST

SATURDAY FEATURES

The Underground Orphanage in Aleppo
Iran Daily, August 20: Sudden Visit by Turkey’s FM to Discuss Syrian Crisis


Kurdish and regime forces fought for a third day in Hasakah in eastern Syria on Friday, as the Syrian Air Force again bombed Kurdish positions.

Kurdish outlets claimed that the YPG militia and Asayish security forces advanced in parts of the city, as regime supporters acknowledged a “full-scale assault” in districts such as al-Nashwa and al-Guweiran. One pro-Assad activist estimated about 30 airstrikes by regime warplanes to help maintain defense lines, in the Syrian military’s first bombing of Kurdish-held territory in the 5 1/2-year conflict.

Kurdish outlets claimed dozens of regime forces were killed, while there are unconfirmed reports of the deaths of at least 22 civilians. A spokesman for the YPG said that thousands of civilians, mostly women and children, were evacuated on Friday.

Journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg posted on Twitter:

The Governor of Hasakah Province, Mohammad Za’al al-Ali, said that the Kurdish forces — which he identified as the Turkish insurgency PKK rather than Syria’s Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) or the YPG militia — had cut the road from Hasakah to the city of Qamishli and killed “a number of military personnel and civilians”.

He declared that “nobody can protect Hasaka except the Syrian State and its army”.

HASAKAH MAP 18-08-16

Meanwhile, the US confirmed that it had scrambled jet fighters on Friday, in its first intervention against regime aerial operations.

A Pentagon spokesman, Capt. Jeff Davis, said the fighters were sent because two Russian-made Su-24 warplanes were threatening attacks near a “small number” of US special operations advisors working with Kurdish forces battling the Islamic State.

An unnamed official said the pilots of the F-22 Raptors tried to call the Syrian aircraft cockpit-to-cockpit but got no response. The US also called the Russian military on a safety of flight hotline, and were told that the warplanes were not Russian-piloted.

“We will ensure [US troops’] safety and the Syrian regime would be well advised not to do things that would place them at risk,” Capt. Davis said.

The US also sent jet fighters into the area on Thursday, as the regime began bombing, but the Syrian warplanes resumed operations as soon as the American planes departed.

While there have been recurrent clashes in Hasakah, where control has been divided since 2013, this is the most serious episode. The fighting began on Wednesday, with each side blaming the other for attacks on checkpoints. A ceasefire on Wednesday night quickly collapsed.

Regime supporters are now speaking of an “all-out war”, while the Kurdish militia YPG has said of the Syrian Air Force’s attacks, “Every hand spattered with the blood of our people will be held to account through all possible and available means.”


Video: Father Says Goodbye to Children Killed by Aleppo Airstrike


Russian Envoy for Syria Visits Saudi Arabia

Russia’s envoy for the Syrian crisis, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, was in Saudi Arabia on Friday for discussions.

Bogdanov arrived on Thursday night after talks in Iran and Qatar, where he saw Syrian “opposition” politicians favored by Moscow.

No details were given of the conversation between the officials of Russia — an essential ally of the Assad regime — and Saudi Arabia, a leading backer of the Syrian opposition and rebels.


Turkish Prime Minister: No Role for Assad in Syria’s Future

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said on Saturday that Ankara will step up its political activity in Syria to ensure that there is no federal system, checking any Kurdish aspirations for autonomy.

Yıldırım also told reporters in Istanbul that while Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could have a role in a transition, he can’t have a role in Syria’s future”.

The Prime Minister said of Ankara’s plans:

Turkey we will be more active in the Syria issue in the coming six months as a regional player. This means to not allow Syria to be divided on any ethnic base, for Turkey this is crucial.

Yildirim did not speak of Turkey’s military intentions, but local observers point to Ankara’s likely support for rebel offensives to take territory in northern Syria from the Islamic State — notably the border city of Jarablus — before this can be seized by Kurdish-led forces.

The Prime Minister said of the President’s immediate future:

Whether we want it or not, Assad is an actor there. His counterparts are the opposition groups in Syria. It’s not possible for us to talk to Assad.

Yildirim’s statement checked speculation — amid stepped-up discussions with Iran and Russia — that Ankara will accept Tehran’s “red line” for Assad’s stay in power and Russian desires for Ankara to halt support of the Syrian opposition and rebels.

See Iran Daily, August 20: Sudden Visit by Turkey’s FM to Discuss Syrian Crisis


Video: Russian-Regime Incendiary Attack on Last Hospital in Darayya

Testimony in English at the scene of Thursday night’s incendiary airstrike that finally put the last hospital in besieged Darayya, southwest of Damascus, out of operation:

The strikes, the third in four days, finally closed the medical facility that served thousands of people in the under-attack suburb.

The regime has cut out Darayya since November 2012 and bombarded it for months in an attempt to overrun the town.

See Syria Feature: “Napalm Bombs Knock Out Last Hospital” in Besieged Darayya


Video: Aftermath of Regime Airstrikes from Douma to Aleppo Province

Aftermath of regime airstrike on Douma, northeast of Damascus, on Saturday:

The Syrian military has bombarded Douma for years in an attempt to break the resistance of civilians and rebels, including the Jaish al-Islam faction.

An attack on Oram al-Kubra in western Aleppo Province, killing 15 and wounding dozens:


Report: Brother of Boy in Iconic “Orange Chair” Photo Dies of Injuries

A pro-opposition activist says that the brother of Omran Daqneesh, the wounded boy in the iconic “orange chair” photograph posted from Aleppo, has died of his injuries.

Ali Daqneesh, 10; his parents; and his three siblings were wounded in the Russian-regime airstrike on the family home on Wednesday.

See Syria Feature: Will This Injured Boy’s Iconic Photo Change Anything? Probably Not.


Jaish al-Islam Claims Advance v. Regime Northeast of Damascus

The rebel faction Jaish al-Islam has claimed an advance against regime forces in the eastern Qalamoun region, northeast of Damascus.

Jaish al-Islam, which attacked behind enemy lines last week, said that it regained several positions in the Hawsh Nasri area, killing at least 14 troops and destroying a tank, a BMP armored vehicle, and a mounted Shilka gun system.

The leading faction near Damascus, Jaish al-Islam is trying to push back regime gains which have taken territory to the northeast and east of the capital this year.


Rebels: 150+ Pro-Assad Troops Killed in Latest Failed Attack on SW Aleppo Front

Rebels are claiming that more than 150 regime troops and allied foreign militia have been killed in the latest failed attack on the southwestern Aleppo front.

The rebels said the troops were slain as they tried to move from part of the 1070 Housing Complex (see map) into the artillery base that was captured by the rebel block Jaish al-Fatah earlier this month.

The pro-Assad units have regained about 25 buildings in the 1070 complex, but have failed twice this week in attacks on the artillery base and air force college.

Pro-rebel activists have been circulating a video of regime forces struck on three occasions — once by a “double tap” attack — by anti-tank guided missiles as they gathered at a wall on the perimeter of the artillery base. On activist has added music:

Jabhat Fatah al-Sham have posted overhead footage showing numerous regime casualties.

Rebels also said they retook the hill of Oum Qara, overlooking the road between Khan Tuman and Ramouseh, after it was briefly occupied by a pro-Assad attack.


Video: Turkey Organization Brings Aid Through Rebel-Held Corridor Into Aleppo City

The Turkey organization IHH brings aid to opposition-held districts of Aleppo city, using a corridor opened by rebels earlier this month in their offensive to the southwest: