PHOTO: US Secretary of State John Kerry with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva on Friday

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Following his latest talks on Friday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, US Secretary of State John Kerry announced “clarity on the path forward” over Syria’s 5 1/2-year conflict, but offered no details on a resolution, easing of violence, or provision of humanitarian aid.

Kerry and Lavrov spoke for more than nine hours in Geneva and then teams from both sides will try to complete an arrangement in coming days in the Swiss city.

The Secretary of State told reporters:

We don’t want to have a deal for the sake of the deal. We want to have something done that is effective and that works for the people of Syria, that makes the region more stable and secure.

The US has long struggled to find a way forward in its approach to Syria, despite Kerry’s desire for a resolution before President Obama leaves office, and Russia’s strategy to constrict opposition and rebels has been undermined by a series of developments in the past month.

See Syria Audio Analysis: Russia’s Strategy Runs Into Trouble

Kerry and Lavrov did not address those events, such as the rebel offensive that has regained ground near Aleppo, the Kurdish victory over regime forces in Hasakah in northeast Syria, or Turkey’s intervention alongside rebels in the north of the country. They also did not pursue the fundamental issue of President Assad’s stay in power.

Instead, they said technical teams will try to figure out ways to separate opposition groups from the “terrorists” of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) — a political line pushed by Russia to justify attacks on opposition territory. The Russian Foreign Secretary declared on Friday, “I don’t see any possibility of assuring a really durable, full-fledged ceasefire without the separation of healthy opposition forces from terrorists.”

Lavrov rebuffed any US attempt to end bombing by Russian and regime air forces, saying this was not the goal of the talks: “The task is not to prevent these or those participants of the conflict from flying but to make those who fly bomb terrorists.”

Kerry insisted, “If the remaining details can be completed, we believe we will be able to address the two primary challenges to the cessation of hostilities – the regime violations and the increasing influence of the al-Nusra Front.”

Lavrov Praises Surrender of Darayya

The two men did refer to Thursday’s surrender of the Damascus suburb of Darayya after a 45-month siege and bombardment by regime forces, with residents removed to nearby regime-run towns and rebels going to the opposition-held Idlib Province in northwest Syria.

Kerry said the regime had “forced the surrender” of Darayya in contravention of a now-dormant February cessation of hostilities agreement.

Lavrov disagreed, hailing the the local accord as an “example” that should be “replicated”. He declared that that another besieged area was “interested in such an operation with mediation of the Russian Federation”.

Turkey Suffers 1st Casualties in Intervention

Turkey has suffered its first casualties in the intervention alongside rebels in northern Syria.

One soldier was killed and three injured when a rocket hit a Turkish tank in Jarablus.

Rebels have clashed with units of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces near Jarablus, while taking at least five villages from the Islamic State (see earlier entries).

Video: The Child Burned by a “Napalm Bomb” on Besieged District in Homs City

Pro-opposition journalist Hadi al-Abdallah circulates video of a child injured by a “napalm bomb” on al-Wa’er, the last opposition-held district in Homs city:

Despite a truce in December 2015, with some civilians and rebels leaving the district, the Assad regime has continued to besiege and bombard al-Wa’er. Attacks have escalated in the last 48 hours, raising speculation that the regime is hoping to force a surrender similar to that in the Damascus suburb of Darayya on Thursday.

Russian and regime warplanes have begun attacks with incendiary weapons, including on Darayya, which cause fires which are difficult to extinguish and painful burns to victims.

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

Report: Several Kurdish-Led Fighters Killed in Clashes With Rebels Near Jarablus

A pro-rebel site said several members of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have been killed in clashes with rebels in northern Syria.

The fighting was on the outskirts of the village of Amirinah, where there have been skirmishes since Turkish-supported rebels took the nearby town of Jarablus from the Islamic State last Wednesday.

The site also said that rebels had taken the villages of Yusuf Bek and Mazaalah, southwest of Jarablus, from the SDF.

See Syria Feature: Fighting Between Turkish-Supported Rebels and Kurdish YPG Militia Across Northwest

The clashes came as rebels took several villages from ISIS to the west of Jarablus, expanding their area of control along the Turkish border (see earlier entry).

The Manbij Military Council, in the city taken from ISIS by the SDF last month, issued a statement that it will support the Jarablus Military Council in resisting the Turkish-supported rebels:

Turkey has dangerously escalated its attacks by exploiting the silence of the world and international and regional temporary consensus for its blatant interference in Jarablus in order to obstruct the war on terror. Turkey has resorted to the policy of secret deals with terrorists to enter Jarablus without a fight.

Artur Rosinski’s map:

JARABLUS 27-08-16

Video: Fleeing Regime Armored Vehicle Amid Bodies Near Airbase on SW Aleppo Front

Footage of a fleeing regime BMP armored vehicle not stopping to collect the bodies of troops, but almost hitting them, on the front southwest of Aleppo city:

The Syrian military and foreign allies have suffered heavy casualties as they tried repeatedly in recent weeks to re-enter a large artillery base captured by rebels in early August, in their major offensive that broke the siege of opposition areas of Aleppo city.

Reports: 25 Killed in Regime Attack on Funeral in Aleppo

Pro-opposition activists claim that 25 people have been killed and 30 injured in a regime bombing of a funeral ceremony in the al-Ma’adi area of Aleppo city.

Witnesses described a “double tap” attack in which warplanes struck rescuers responding to the first airstrike.

Regime warplanes also killed and wounded dozens in another attack on the Bab al-Nairab section of Aleppo city.

A young survivor:

AL-MAADI FUNERAL ATTACK 08-16

Turkish-Supported Rebels Continue Advance in North

Turkish-supported rebels have continued their advance in northern Syria, expanding their area of control beyond the town of Jarablus on the Turkish border.

The rebels reportedly have taken al-Humayr village (see map), southwest of Jarablus, from the Islamic State. A photograph has been posted of two captured SDF soldiers.

Claims are circulating that the rebels have captured four other villages, including Trekhem Al Gharbi, on Saturday.

The offensive began on Wednesday, as Turkish tanks, artillery, and special forces supported rebels who crossed into Syria and took Jarablus within hours. from retreating ISIS fighters.

The advance is likely to support speculation that Turkey will seek to create a “safe zone” along the border, despite US opposition.

A Free Syrian Army convoy west of Jarablus:

Turkish aid workers distribute aid in Jarablus:

The son of a famed rebel commander, Abu Furat, visits his father’s burial site in Jarablus for the first time in three years:

SON ABU FURAT GRAVE

Abu Furat, born Yusuf al-Jader, was killed in December 2012 after leading an operation that captured the Infantry School in Aleppo. He is hailed by admirers as “a great fighter, but also a man of great principle”. In a video about the victory at the Infantry School, he said:

I am bothered because these tanks [that we destroyed] are our tanks. The ammo is our ammo. Those fighters are our brothers. I swear to God, every time I see a person that is killed, from our side or from their side, I get sad.

Because if that bastard [Assad] had resigned, Syria would have been the best country in the world. But you clung to your throne you bastard, why? You started killing people when we were telling you we were peaceful, and you were saying it was all armed gangs. And us officers were sitting on our beds watching, when you were calling people terrorists. Honestly, we are not terrorists. You are the one who wants us to become terrorists.

Video: Aftermath of Deadly Airstrike in Aleppo Province

Aftermath of a pro-Assad airstrike on Oram al-Kubra in Aleppo, reportedly killing at least 5 people and wounding 10:

Videos: Civilians Removed from Besieged Darayya “The Migrating Birds Are Like Us”

As they watch migrating birds, boys being removed from besieged Darayya comment, “They are like us.”

A suburb of Damascus, Darayya finally surrendered on Thursday to the Syrian military after 45 months of siege and bombardment. Some civilians are being removed to nearby regime-held towns; rebels and their families are being transferred to Idlib Province in northwest Syria.

A group arriving in Idlib early Saturday morning:

Mother and child arriving in Qalaat al-Madeeq in Idlib:

DARAYYA MOTHER CHILD IDLIB 27-08-16