Snake on side of road On Nut

[rooster59]

U.S. warns Syria of 'firm' measures for ceasefire violations

 

People wait outside the State Department in Washington, U.S., June 2, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States warned Syria on Friday it would take "firm and appropriate measures" in response to ceasefire violations, saying it was concerned about reports of an impending military operation in a de-escalation zone in the country's southwest.

 

Washington also cautioned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against broadening the conflict.

 

"As a guarantor of this de-escalation area with Russia and Jordan, the United States will take firm and appropriate measures in response to Assad regime violations," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement late on Friday.

 

A war monitor, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported on Wednesday that Syrian government forces fresh from their victory this week against an Islamic State pocket in south Damascus were moving into the southern province of Deraa.

 

Syrian state-run media have reported that government aircraft have dropped leaflets on rebel-held areas in Deraa urging fighters to disarm.

 

The U.S. warning comes weeks after a similar attack on a de-escalation zone in northeastern Syria held by U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. U.S. ground and air forces repelled the more than four-hour attack, killing perhaps as many as 300 pro-Assad militia members, many of them Russian mercenaries.

 

Backed by Russian warplanes, ground forces from Iran and allied militia, including Lebanon's Hezbollah, have helped Assad drive rebels from Syria's biggest cities, putting him in an unassailable military position.

 

They have recaptured all remaining insurgent areas near Damascus in recent weeks, including the densely populated eastern Ghouta area, as well as big enclaves in central Syria.

 

The government is now in its strongest position since the early months of the war in 2011, although still a long way from achieving Assad's aim of reasserting sway over all of Syria.

 

Anti-Assad rebels still control two large contiguous areas of territory in the northwest and southwest. Kurdish and allied Arab militia backed by the United States hold the quarter of Syria east of the Euphrates.

 

The government's gains have brought it to a point where any new military campaign risks putting it in conflict with foreign powers.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-05-26

[Franko666]

Looks like Trump continues to back the Islamists in Syria against Assad, I'm not so sure this is a smart thing to do for a lasting peace in the region.

[simple1]

34 minutes ago, Franko666 said:

Looks like Trump continues to back the Islamists in Syria against Assad, I'm not so sure this is a smart thing to do for a lasting peace in the region.

Deraa is mainly held by US backed SDF, so which Islamist groups are you referring to?

[FritsSikkink]

"The United States warned Syria on Friday it would take "firm and appropriate measures" in response to ceasefire violations,"

Go back to your own country instead of warning the local government.

[ChouDoufu]

4 hours ago, Franko666 said:

Looks like Trump continues to back the Islamists in Syria against Assad, I'm not so sure this is a smart thing to do for a lasting peace in the region.

why do you assume the goal is a lasting peace?

[Morch]

7 hours ago, simple1 said:

Deraa is mainly held by US backed SDF, so which Islamist groups are you referring to?

 

I don't think the SDF operates in Deraa. The forces formerly supported by the US there, were more like local FSA remnants. Since the Trump administration cut aid to these groups, how much sway the US holds there is debatable. So in terms of what's labeled as rebels, both local (former?) FSA outfits, and  various Islamic organizations. The two not necessarily being on friendly terms.

 

The area is roughly divided between Assad's forces, and opposing groups (which occasionally fight among themselves). The supposed deescalation zone, agreed upon by Russia, US and Jordan isn't a clear cut thing with regard to monitoring troops or what they actually monitor. So in effect it's less of a solid proposition then some may assume.

 

 

[Morch]

4 hours ago, car720 said:

Am I the only one that sees this as a kind of ISIS in reverse scenario??

 

Probably not. But the others are off mark as well.

Edited May 26, 2018 by Morch

[simple1]

5 hours ago, Morch said:

 

I don't think the SDF operates in Deraa. The forces formerly supported by the US there, were more like local FSA remnants. Since the Trump administration cut aid to these groups, how much sway the US holds there is debatable. So in terms of what's labeled as rebels, both local (former?) FSA outfits, and  various Islamic organizations. The two not necessarily being on friendly terms.

 

The area is roughly divided between Assad's forces, and opposing groups (which occasionally fight among themselves). The supposed deescalation zone, agreed upon by Russia, US and Jordan isn't a clear cut thing with regard to monitoring troops or what they actually monitor. So in effect it's less of a solid proposition then some may assume.

 

 

Read recent media articles SDF are active in Daraa Province opposing Islamist groups. Still waiting for the member I responded to identify Islamist groups in Syria current US Administration is supporting.

Edited May 26, 2018 by simple1

[bristolboy]

5 hours ago, simple1 said:

Read recent media articles SDF are active in Daraa Province opposing Islamist groups. Still waiting for the member I responded to identify Islamist groups in Syria current US Administration is supporting.

I've looked in vain. Can you give links?

[simple1]

1 hour ago, bristolboy said:

I've looked in vain. Can you give links?

Just looked again and now I'm struggling. From recollection reported in English language version of Israeli media outlet. Maybe confusing with FSA, but don't believe US is still supporting that group. However, as you know US supported SDF is comprised of many different units of differing regional origins who have been fighting both Islamist and Assad forces throughout Syria.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Forces

 

https://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2018/15-february-isis-try-to-advance-from-yarmouk-valley-toward

 

https://smartnews-agency.com/en/wires/294509/syrian-democratic-forces-clash-with-islamic-state-in-eastern-deir

 

https://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2018/29-april-statement-by-syrian-democratic-forces-sdf-spokesman

Edited May 27, 2018 by simple1

[Franko666]

17 hours ago, ChouDoufu said:

why do you assume the goal is a lasting peace?

Its the goal of most sensible people.

 

[Franko666]

17 hours ago, ChouDoufu said:

why do you assume the goal is a lasting peace?

Its the goal of most sensible people, admittedly politicians tend not to be the most sensible of people.

 

[lungbing]

Nor are the American arms manufacturers.

[piewarmer]

22 hours ago, Franko666 said:

Its the goal of most sensible people.

 

sensible people? where?

[Rimmer]

A post with an altered quote has been removed:

 

16) You will not make changes to quoted material from other members posts, except for purposes of shortening the quoted post. This cannot be done in such a manner that it alters the context of the original post.

[metisdead]

A post of a conspiracy manner has been removed as well as the replies. 

[Morch]

On 5/27/2018 at 8:11 PM, lungbing said:

Nor are the American arms manufacturers.

 

Syria's war: A showroom for Russian arms sales

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/04/syria-war-showroom-russian-arms-sales-160406135130398.html

 

Russia hoping to boost arms sales after Syrian usage

https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2017/08/30/russia-hoping-to-boost-arms-sales-after-syrian-usage/

 

How Russia's military campaign in Syria is helping Moscow market its weapons

http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-russia-weapons-20161118-story.html