In Syria on the evening of December 1st.
1. The Syrian army was able to hold the capital of Hama province and move on to stabilization measures in Hama province and in the Al-Ghab valley. Several cities and villages were liberated. The threat of losing Hama has been temporarily removed.
2. On the other hand, the gap in the front southeast of Aleppo remains. After capturing Kuweiris and Al-Safir, the militants continued their advance to the southeast and captured Khanasser. The situation there is not under control.
3. Also, the militants and the Turks are clearing out the Kurds in Tal Rifaat. The city has effectively fallen, as has the Menaj airbase. The Kurds in the Sheikh Maksoud area have been given an ultimatum - get out to Rojava or else it will be bad.
Looks like Erdogan wants to enforce a "safety" zone.
4. Iranian backed militias have left for the front, large columns are coming from Iraq. But it will take time for them to reach the front line. Iraq is strengthening its border with Syria.
5. The Russian Aerospace Forces are currently operating very effectively, inflicting heavy losses by striking at enemy columns and concentrations of manpower. But air strikes alone cannot stop the rebel's advance.
6. Russian Lieutenant General Kisel has left his post as commander of the Russian group in Syria. His place has presumably been taken by Colonel General Chaiko.
7. In addition to Russia and Iran, Egypt, Iraq, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have come out in support of Syria. The head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry arrived in Damascus today. The issue of deploying Iranian backed militias in Syria was discussed.
8. In the southern regions of Syria, the unrest of militants in Daraa has been contained for now. But if there are further failures at the front, it could flare up there too.
9. Assad is now in Syria. Rumors about a coup are fabrications. As are the statements that Assad is hiding in Russia.
10. Overall, the crisis continues to develop and it is too early to talk about its cessation. The consequences of the catastrophic failure of the Syrian army near Aleppo are currently being collected. In fact, 1.5 provinces were surrendered in a few days. The reasons for this failure have yet to be established.
Zoals je ziet lopen er diverse agenda's tegelijk, waaronder ook het vereffenen van oude rekeningen met de Koerden.
Mike