According to local sources, the US targeted positions of the SAA near the town of Khasham, located on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River where some clashes between the SAA and the SDF were also reported. Earlier pro-opposition sources speculated that the SAA was preparing to use Khasham as a foothold to attack the SDF position in the areas of the CONICO gas facility and the Jafar oil field. However, these reports were not confirmed by any evidence.
No doubts, the US-led coalition will use the incident to deepen the rift between the SAA and the Kurdish-dominated SDF. Earlier this month, Damascus allowed a large convoy of Kurdish fighters to reach the area of Afrin where Turkey is conducting a military operation against YPG/YPJ forces that are the core of the SDF. However, the relations between the sides remained complicated.
On February 7, the media wing of the YPG released a video showing two ATGM strikes at battle tanks of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF). The strikes were conducted in the Rajo and Bulbul districts of Afrin. The both tanks were allegedly destroyed. On the same day, reports appeared that two TAF service members died in the Afrin operation.
Meanwhile, the TAF and the Free Syrian Army captured Hawiz Hill and re-entered Shaykh Khurus. On February 8, clashes continued there. The SAA, the Tiger Forces and their allies made large gains against ISIS in the northeastern Hama pocket. The ISIS resistance remains in Suruj, Ibn Wardan Qastel and a number of small points across the remaining militant-held area.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham continued its attempts to exploit the SAA operation against ISIS attacking government positions west and north of Abu al-Duhur. Fierce clashes are ongoing there.
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1 comment
SELECT COMMENTS FROM ORIGINAL THREAD
B.F. on February 08, 2018 · at 2:08 pm UTC
US foreign policy is going from criminal to the absurdly criminal. I don’t believe what excuse the US has given, acting in “self defense” against the legitimate military of a legitimate state whose land it has occupied contrary to international law. In other words, invaders are defending themselves against the invaded. Typical Bismarckian tactics. As for the Free Syrian Army, it’s a collection of mercenaries who have given themselves the fancy name of “Free Syrian Army”, when they do not represent Syria nor do they have permission of the Syrian Government to exist at all. It’s like bank robbers giving themselves the title of human rights activists and firing at security guards with the excuse that the security guards were preventing them exercising their “legitimate” human rights. I am wondering if the people in Washington D.C. are any more responsible for their actions, or are they living in cloud cuckoo land.
Ed on February 08, 2018 · at 4:19 pm UTC
Invaders defending themselves against the invaded. This theory of defense first used by the indispensable nation in North America when displacing and murdering native Americans. Then the zionist entity employed this logic and continues to do so since commencing the ethnic cleansing of Palestine in 1948. The z.e. modeled itself on the ethnic cleansing of N. America. This malignant point of view, (the burglar self-righteously defending himself against a startled homeowner) comes very easily to people who are sure that God favors them above all. Such thinking is not easily overcome by reason alone.
John Neal Spangler on February 08, 2018 · at 4:43 pm UTC
As an American it is certainly disgusting and embarrassing to read of these US war crimes. Gen Mattis is a war criminal because he has not relieved the central command leader in spite of his many attacks on Syrian forces, afterall congress has not declared war and UNSC has not given permission to be in Syria.
Ralph Conner on February 08, 2018 · at 5:27 pm UTC
Same here. I’ve fought this ideology tooth and nail, from the days I marched with Dr. King. Up to when I picketed my deranged congressman Duncan Hunter who is a principle in the U.S. Gov’s new first use nuclear weapons policy. A lot of good using my 1st Amendment rights and my ‘vote’ did, LOL.
jon on February 09, 2018 · at 12:46 pm UTC
I’m with you guys. It pains me to see my tax dollars used to support the MIC and Greater Israel.
Friend on February 08, 2018 · at 5:00 pm UTC
Let’s face it, it is going to get worse, and they have no intention of backing down. Diplomacy talk is useless, for they don’t give horse s—t about truth, justice, right or freedom, for them it is just a music they play to make sheep asleep. I have a feeling that Syria is already partitioned among main players, and that is end of saga, for now. I wish SAA could find some new toys, particularly a kind which makes these air raids a bit way to risky. If Turks and SA can get them, why on earth SAA is denied a right to defend it’s borders. Sorry guys for rant, it just makes me sad.
Cheers
Anonymous on February 08, 2018 · at 11:42 pm UTC
I feel the SAA does have good air defenses but is afraid to use them against the U.S., fearing the U.S. will then feel justified with an intense bombing on them, and Russia will be to afraid to act directly against the U.S. military as well, so it will do nothing except voice condemnations.
Englishman on February 08, 2018 · at 6:10 pm UTC
The only language the Imperialists understand is the language of force,first thing Russia should do is launch massive attacks on the SDF,they must also be prepared to use those S-400s and stop talking about our Us partners,its like trying to reason with a rabid dog,they also gave the Turks a free pass,at the moment they are taking as much Syrian land as they can,even talking about heading for Idlib,well that makes sense because that’s where their jihadi boyfriends are festering,as it stands the Israelis bomb Syria with impunity,the Turks are invading and the US is on the attack,between them they control about thirty percent of Syria and fifty percent of the oil,what we re seeing is plan B after their plan A was shot to pieces by the SAA and allies.