For the second time in two years, Jihan and her family had to pack their bags and abandon their home in northern Syria because of a Turkish invasion.

As she picked her way through the belongings other <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-60000-displaced-by-turkey-assault-on-syria-monitor-255034">displaced families </a>had strewn across the schoolyard, the 47-year-old mother felt a mix of anger and wary deja vu.

"We don't know where to go," she said, moments after reaching the school in the city Hasakeh which the autonomous Kurdish administration turned into a shelter.

According to the United Nations, 70,000 people have had to flee their homes since <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-invades-syria-and-attacks-kurds-255086">Turkey launched a cross-border offensive </a>on Kurdish-controlled areas on Wednesday.

It is the third time since the start of the Syria conflict in 2011 that Turkey has invaded northern Syria.

The last time was in early 2018, when Turkish forces and their Syrian proxies seized the Kurdish-majority area of Afrin, causing another major wave of displacement.

Jihan and her family fled her native Afrin then and settled in Kobane, another mostly Kurdish border town that suffered major destruction earlier in the war.

On Thursday, she had to flee again and join the flock of civilians who have streaming to Hasakeh, an eastern city that has not been targeted by Turkey so far.

"What does Erdogan want from us?," she raged, referring to the Turkish president. "Is it all simply because we are Kurds?"

She and most other displaced Kurds have been unable to return to Afrin, where mostly Sunni Arab former rebels loyal to Ankara have settled.

Some of the same former rebels, who were defeated by regime forces and cannot return to their own native regions in Syria, are now supporting Turkey's latest operation.

History is repeating itself in many ways: Turkey launched its attack on Afrin last year after Russian forces quit positions in the area.

This week, Ankara and its proxies launched their offensive two days after US forces pulled back from the border, leaving their Kurdish allies in the lurch.

"In Afrin, Russia sold us out. Today, America is selling us out," is how Jihan summed it up.

In the schoolyard in Hasakeh, the displaced children play on a rusty old swing while their parents start unpacking their bags and feed the youngest.

Most of the displaced are from the largest towns on the border, including Kobane, Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ain.

"Following the emergency... people went to Tall Tamr, Hasakeh, and surrounding villages. We have requisitioned three schools to house the people," said Majida Amin, a local official in charge of displaced people.

She said that the number of people who were given shelter in the first school was 220 and increasing with every hour.

Amin said that little help was available from local aid groups and called on the international community to step up and organise the emergency humanitarian response.

She explained that most of the people who fled their homes try to move in with relatives who live in safer areas before coming to the newly opened shelters.

Since Turkish jets and artillery started raining bombs and shells, families can be seen heading away from the border, some of them walking down roads with bags and bundles on their backs.

Others like Ibrahim Fares and his family were able to squeeze in a car to leave Ras al-Ain, one of the towns hardest hit.

"Now we don't know where to go and where we will sleep," the 28-year-old said.

For the second time in two years, Jihan and her family had to pack their bags and abandon their home in northern Syria because of a Turkish invasion. As she picked her way through the belongings other displaced families had strewn across the schoolyard, the 47-year-old mother felt a mix of anger and wary deja vu.

For the second time in two years, Jihan and her family had to pack their bags and abandon their home in northern Syria because of a Turkish invasion. As she picked her way through the belongings other displaced families had strewn across the schoolyard, the 47-year-old mother felt a mix of anger and wary deja vu. "We don't know where to go," she said, moments after reaching the school in the city Hasakeh which the autonomous Kurdish administration turned into a shelter. According to the United Nations, 70,000 people have had to flee their homes since Turkey launched a cross-border offensive on Kurdish-controlled areas on Wednesday. It is the third time since the start of the Syria conflict in 2011 that Turkey has invaded northern Syria. The last time was in early 2018, when Turkish forces and their Syrian proxies seized the Kurdish-majority area of Afrin, causing another major wave of displacement. Jihan and her family fled her native Afrin then and settled in Kobane, another mostly Kurdish border town that suffered major destruction earlier in the war. On Thursday, she had to flee again and join the flock of civilians who have streaming to Hasakeh, an eastern city that has not been targeted by Turkey so far. "What does Erdogan want from us?," she raged, referring to the Turkish president. "Is it all simply because we are Kurds?" She and most other displaced Kurds have been unable to return to Afrin, where mostly Sunni Arab former rebels loyal to Ankara have settled. Some of the same former rebels, who were defeated by regime forces and cannot return to their own native regions in Syria, are now supporting Turkey's latest operation. History is repeating itself in many ways: Turkey launched its attack on Afrin last year after Russian forces quit positions in the area. This week, Ankara and its proxies launched their offensive two days after US forces pulled back from the border, leaving their Kurdish allies in the lurch. "In Afrin, Russia sold us out. Today, America is selling us out," is how Jihan summed it up. In the schoolyard in Hasakeh, the displaced children play on a rusty old swing while their parents start unpacking their bags and feed the youngest. Most of the displaced are from the largest towns on the border, including Kobane, Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ain. "Following the emergency... people went to Tall Tamr, Hasakeh, and surrounding villages. We have requisitioned three schools to house the people," said Majida Amin, a local official in charge of displaced people. She said that the number of people who were given shelter in the first school was 220 and increasing with every hour. Amin said that little help was available from local aid groups and called on the international community to step up and organise the emergency humanitarian response. She explained that most of the people who fled their homes try to move in with relatives who live in safer areas before coming to the newly opened shelters. Since Turkish jets and artillery started raining bombs and shells, families can be seen heading away from the border, some of them walking down roads with bags and bundles on their backs. Others like Ibrahim Fares and his family were able to squeeze in a car to leave Ras al-Ain, one of the towns hardest hit. "Now we don't know where to go and where we will sleep," the 28-year-old said.

In Syria, history repeats itself for displaced Kurds

Tamil megastar Rajinikanth has cancelled his&nbsp;visit to Sri Lanka to inaugurate a housing scheme in Jaffna -- home to Sri Lankan Tamils -- after he met with opposition from pro-Tamil outfits in his state. 
&nbsp;

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VCK chief Thirumavalavan&amp;MDMK chief Vaiko urged me not to visit Sri Lanka,accepted their request because of cordial relationship-Rajinikanth <a href="https://t.co/JURKDP3V1D">pic.twitter.com/JURKDP3V1D</a>
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Rajinikanth was to participate in a function in Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka, scheduled for April 9 and April 10, to formally hand over 150 free houses constructed for the internally displaced Tamils in the island nation.

According to reports, Tamil fringe groups like Viduthalai Chiruthaigal KAtchi (VCK), Marumarlarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMDK) and few others are opposing the actor&rsquo;s visit.&nbsp;

&ldquo;There are efforts to involve him in the ethnic issue. Superstar (Rajinikanth) should not get involved in this matter and I say this as a friend,&rdquo; VCK founder Thol. Thirumavalavan told a Tamil TV channel.&nbsp;

TVK founder and former MLA T Velmurugan said the actor should not &ldquo;fall prey&rdquo; to the efforts to paint a rosy picture of Sinhala-Tamil relations in the island nation.

&ldquo;At a time when Tamils are seeking justice for the ethnic violence in Sri Lanka, Rajinikanth&rsquo;s visit does not augur well. This is an attempt by Sri Lankan government through Lyca to create an image that Sinhalas and Tamils are living unitedly,&rdquo; he told PTI.

The homes have been constructed by Gnanam Foundation.&nbsp;The event is being organised by Lyca Productions, which is also producing the star&rsquo;s next release, 2.0 .&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Turkey sent troops, tanks and warplanes to support Free Syrian Army rebels, push IS fighters away from its border and stop the advance of Kurdish militia fighters

Tamil megastar Rajinikanth has cancelled his visit to Sri Lanka to inaugurate a housing scheme in Jaffna -- home to Sri Lankan Tamils -- after he met with opposition from pro-Tamil outfits in his state. VCK chief Thirumavalavan&MDMK chief Vaiko urged me not to visit Sri Lanka,accepted their request because of cordial relationship-Rajinikanth pic.twitter.com/JURKDP3V1D — ANI (@ANI_news) March 25, 2017 × Rajinikanth was to participate in a function in Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka, scheduled for April 9 and April 10, to formally hand over 150 free houses constructed for the internally displaced Tamils in the island nation. According to reports, Tamil fringe groups like Viduthalai Chiruthaigal KAtchi (VCK), Marumarlarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMDK) and few others are opposing the actor’s visit. “There are efforts to involve him in the ethnic issue. Superstar (Rajinikanth) should not get involved in this matter and I say this as a friend,” VCK founder Thol. Thirumavalavan told a Tamil TV channel. TVK founder and former MLA T Velmurugan said the actor should not “fall prey” to the efforts to paint a rosy picture of Sinhala-Tamil relations in the island nation. “At a time when Tamils are seeking justice for the ethnic violence in Sri Lanka, Rajinikanth’s visit does not augur well. This is an attempt by Sri Lankan government through Lyca to create an image that Sinhalas and Tamils are living unitedly,” he told PTI. The homes have been constructed by Gnanam Foundation. The event is being organised by Lyca Productions, which is also producing the star’s next release, 2.0 . (WION with inputs from agencies)

Turkey ends 'Operation Euphrates Shield' in Syria: PM

Syrian rebels stormed a government-held area in northeastern Damascus on Tuesday for the second time in three days, sources on both sides of the fighting said, in the opposition&#39;s first such large scale foray in over four years in the capital.

For rebels, the assault has shown they are still able to wage offensive action, though their situation remains very difficult near Damascus and across the country as a whole.&nbsp;

Separately, an alliance of rebel groups said on Tuesday it had launched a new offensive near the city of Hama in the central part of western Syria.

President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian army, along with allied Russian, Iranian and Shi&#39;ite militia forces, have gained the upper hand in the war for western Syria over the past 18 months, culminating in the full recapture of Aleppo in December.

Witnesses in Damascus said several rockets were fired into central, government-held parts of the city by rebels and state media reported that the army had conducted numerous air and artillery strikes against insurgents.&nbsp;

The spokesman for one of the main insurgent groups involved in the attack told Reuters new offensive began at 5.00 am, targeting an area rebel fighters had seized from government control on Sunday before being forced to retreat.

A Syrian military source told Reuters rebel fighters had entered the area, setting off a car bomb at the start of the attack. The source said a group of rebels that had entered the area had been encircled and were &quot;being dealt with&quot;.

The rebel groups have launched the assault from their Eastern Ghouta stronghold to the east of the capital. Government forces have escalated military operations against Eastern Ghouta in recent weeks, seeking to tighten a siege on the area. The rebel assault aims partly to relieve that pressure.

The fighting has focussed around the Abassiyin area of the northeastern Jobar district, some 2 km east of the Old City walls, at a major road junction leading into the capital.&nbsp;

A witness in the Tijara residential area near the fighting said dozens of tanks were deployed - an unusual scene for residents of inner Damascus, whose quarters been spared the widespread fighting on the fringes of the sprawling city.

North of Hama, jihadist rebel groups said they had launched a new offensive which the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said had made a considerable advance and seized points inside the towns of Soran and Maardas. 
A military media unit run by Hezbollah said that fighting continued in the towns.

Wael Alwan, spokesman for the Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebel group Failaq al Rahman, said: &quot;We launched the new offensive and we restored all the points we withdrew from on Monday.&quot;

He said the attack strengthened the hand of the mainstream opposition ahead of new peace talks in Geneva on Thursday. &quot;Our gains today will give strength to our presence in Geneva after tomorrow,&quot; he added.

Message to Russia

Another rebel official heading to Geneva said the attack showed the limitations of Russia&#39;s extensive military support.&nbsp;

&quot;This is a military and political message to Russia that the regime is weak and has no full control and is unable to decisively tilt the balance in its favour militarily,&quot; Issam al Rayess, a spokesman for the FSA&#39;s Southern Front alliance of Western and Arab backed rebel groups.&nbsp;

The Syrian military source said: &quot;They entered a narrow pocket - the same area of the (previous) breach - and now this group is being dealt with.&quot;

State media said rebels who infiltrated the city and Jobar had fled with scores arrested or killed but gave no details. 
State television played what it said was footage taken on Tuesday morning on Faris al-Khouri street, which runs towards the Abbasiyin garages, and showed thick dark smoke rising in the distance.

The government says the attack is being carried out by fighters of the Nusra Front, a jihadist group that was al Qaeda`s official affiliate in the Syrian war until it declared they had broken off ties last year. The Nusra Front is now part of an Islamist alliance called Tahrir al-Sham.

The attack has relieved pressure on rebels who have lost ground in the nearby areas of Qaboun and Barza, where the army says rebels have constructed an elaborate network of tunnels that provide essential goods that have for years helped Eastern Ghouta withstand a tough siege.

A rebel commander said the Syrian army was intensifying its shelling on areas where they had advanced in Jobar and towns across Eastern Ghouta. &quot;There is no place that has not been hit,&quot; said Abu Abdo a field commander from Failaq al Rahman brigade.&nbsp;

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the conflict, said at least 143 air raids were conducted by the Syrian army on rebel held eastern parts of Damascus, mostly targeting Jobar, since the rebels launched their offensive.

(Reuters)

For rebels, the assault has shown they are still able to wage offensive action, though their situation remains very difficult near Damascus

Syrian rebels stormed a government-held area in northeastern Damascus on Tuesday for the second time in three days, sources on both sides of the fighting said, in the opposition's first such large scale foray in over four years in the capital. For rebels, the assault has shown they are still able to wage offensive action, though their situation remains very difficult near Damascus and across the country as a whole. Separately, an alliance of rebel groups said on Tuesday it had launched a new offensive near the city of Hama in the central part of western Syria. President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian army, along with allied Russian, Iranian and Shi'ite militia forces, have gained the upper hand in the war for western Syria over the past 18 months, culminating in the full recapture of Aleppo in December. Witnesses in Damascus said several rockets were fired into central, government-held parts of the city by rebels and state media reported that the army had conducted numerous air and artillery strikes against insurgents. The spokesman for one of the main insurgent groups involved in the attack told Reuters new offensive began at 5.00 am, targeting an area rebel fighters had seized from government control on Sunday before being forced to retreat. A Syrian military source told Reuters rebel fighters had entered the area, setting off a car bomb at the start of the attack. The source said a group of rebels that had entered the area had been encircled and were "being dealt with". The rebel groups have launched the assault from their Eastern Ghouta stronghold to the east of the capital. Government forces have escalated military operations against Eastern Ghouta in recent weeks, seeking to tighten a siege on the area. The rebel assault aims partly to relieve that pressure. The fighting has focussed around the Abassiyin area of the northeastern Jobar district, some 2 km east of the Old City walls, at a major road junction leading into the capital. A witness in the Tijara residential area near the fighting said dozens of tanks were deployed - an unusual scene for residents of inner Damascus, whose quarters been spared the widespread fighting on the fringes of the sprawling city. North of Hama, jihadist rebel groups said they had launched a new offensive which the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said had made a considerable advance and seized points inside the towns of Soran and Maardas. A military media unit run by Hezbollah said that fighting continued in the towns. Wael Alwan, spokesman for the Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebel group Failaq al Rahman, said: "We launched the new offensive and we restored all the points we withdrew from on Monday." He said the attack strengthened the hand of the mainstream opposition ahead of new peace talks in Geneva on Thursday. "Our gains today will give strength to our presence in Geneva after tomorrow," he added. Message to Russia Another rebel official heading to Geneva said the attack showed the limitations of Russia's extensive military support. "This is a military and political message to Russia that the regime is weak and has no full control and is unable to decisively tilt the balance in its favour militarily," Issam al Rayess, a spokesman for the FSA's Southern Front alliance of Western and Arab backed rebel groups. The Syrian military source said: "They entered a narrow pocket - the same area of the (previous) breach - and now this group is being dealt with." State media said rebels who infiltrated the city and Jobar had fled with scores arrested or killed but gave no details. State television played what it said was footage taken on Tuesday morning on Faris al-Khouri street, which runs towards the Abbasiyin garages, and showed thick dark smoke rising in the distance. The government says the attack is being carried out by fighters of the Nusra Front, a jihadist group that was al Qaeda`s official affiliate in the Syrian war until it declared they had broken off ties last year. The Nusra Front is now part of an Islamist alliance called Tahrir al-Sham. The attack has relieved pressure on rebels who have lost ground in the nearby areas of Qaboun and Barza, where the army says rebels have constructed an elaborate network of tunnels that provide essential goods that have for years helped Eastern Ghouta withstand a tough siege. A rebel commander said the Syrian army was intensifying its shelling on areas where they had advanced in Jobar and towns across Eastern Ghouta. "There is no place that has not been hit," said Abu Abdo a field commander from Failaq al Rahman brigade. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the conflict, said at least 143 air raids were conducted by the Syrian army on rebel held eastern parts of Damascus, mostly targeting Jobar, since the rebels launched their offensive. (Reuters)

Syrian rebels stage second attack in three days in govt-held areas of Damascus

By: Anchal Vohra

Col. Haitham Afise is leading the 51st division brigade of the Free Syrian Army and is directly in touch with the Pentagon. One of the top Free Syrian Army leaders, he is coordinating the attack in Al Bab with the Pentagon and says his men are making fast progress. Post Al Bab he wants to take Idlib infested with Al Qaeda affiliates but not Raqqa yet. He spoke to WION&#39;s Anchal Vohra in Turkey.

On India

Anchal: Thank you very much for speaking with us. Has the Free Syrian Army established any contact with the India government and what are your expectations from them?

Col. Afise: May peace be upon you. You are welcome. We were expecting from the Indian government to support us but they are supporting the regime. India is a symbol of freedom. We were peaceful in our demonstrations like Gandhi who fought the British, we took inspiration from him but India, may be, forgot its history and Gandhi. We started the revolution in a peaceful way but the regime attacked us and shot us. That is why I defected from the army to support the Syrian people and get our freedom.

Anchal: You say you want India&#39;s support but Syrian government says the protests were not peaceful. They were violent. They show videos of protestors beheading Syrian army. How do you respond to that?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;India is a superpower and they have good intelligence. It is impossible that the Syrian regime tells lies to the Indian government. They have to know the truth because they are a superpower and have great intelligence network.

On Syrian government&#39;s lies

Anchal: The Syrian government also said that the protesters asked for extremists to be released from the prison and because of that these terrorists are on the ground. Why did you ask for these terrorists to be released?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;We didn&#39;t ask for the criminals to be released. We asked Assad to release people who got arrested in the revolution. The extremists were arrested before the revolution. They were released by the regime and then they formed different terror groups and became their leaders. Assad knew if these extremists are released they will destroy the revolution.

Anchal: You are saying the defectors never asked for the extremists to be released?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;We didn&#39;t ask the government to release them. They were in the jail. They were not only in Sednaya military prison in Syria but 950 came from prison in Iraq. Al Maliki claims they escaped the jail but Al Maliki did this so that they can join the war and the Islamic State.

Anchal:&nbsp;So are you saying that Assad and Maliki created the ISIS problem?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;Not only Bashar al-Assad and Maliki but also Iran. The plan between Iran, Assad, Maliki and Hezbollah is to create a Shia country from Iran to Bahrain.

On Al Bab

Anchal:&nbsp;What is the situation in Al Bab and if your figters are in Al Bab?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;I am involved in the Operation Euphrates Shield. We kicked ISIS from the north of Al Bab and we are fighting in Al Bab. Now we are in the middle of Al Bab. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Anchal:&nbsp;How long before your fighters will take Al Bab?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;We took the biggest part of Al&nbsp;Bab and by tomorrow we take all of it. Very soon Isha Allah.

On Penatgon and Raqqa

Anchal:&nbsp;Is there any conversation that you have had with the Pentagon on Raqqa?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;We all know that America supports Kurdish forces and they call them Syrian Democratic Forces. If they ask me to fight beside Kurdish forces against ISIS, I will never accept that because they are against our ideology and they don&#39;t support the Syrian revolution.

On Russia

&nbsp;Anchal:&nbsp;The Russians invited you to meet with them. What did they talk about?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;I met them but Russia won&#39;t be involved in finding peaceful solution in Syria because they support the Assad regime.

Anchal:&nbsp;What about the Russians?&nbsp;Are they more interested in fighting ISIS or Jabhat Al Nusra?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;Russia doesn&#39;t care about ISIS. They only care about Nusra. The proof is that they don&#39;t attack ISIS and only Nusra and the Free Syrian Army. The reason is because Chechen people joined Nusra and they don&#39;t want them to come to Nusra.

Anchal:&nbsp;What about America? Is America&#39;s focus ISIS, Nusra, Al Qaeda or all?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;United State&#39;s only focus is to fight ISIS, not Nusra.

Anchal:&nbsp;What about you?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;For me, I have too many enemies -- Syrian regime, Nusra, ISIS and Kurdish militia but other countries, they have only one enemy.

Anchal:&nbsp;So, can you fight with so many enemies? Or will you crack a deal with the devil and join hands with some of these groups?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;I will continue fighting all the enemies of the Syrian people. I deal with other countries. The deal depends on the goals of the revolution, goals of my country. If useful, I will crack a deal. In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies. As long as the deal is useful for the Syrian revolution.&nbsp;

On biggest challenge

Anchal:&nbsp;What is your biggest challenge in order to fight ISIS and Nusra?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;We need good quality weapons. To fight ISIS and Nusra, we have weapons but they are not of good quality. 
&nbsp; 
Anchal:&nbsp;Exactly what weapons and how many do you need?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;We need anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles but of good qauality and we need long range weapons. If we get this, you won&#39;t find ISIS and Nusra type groups here. Before we were fighting like gangsters fight on the streets. Now, it&#39;s a fight between cities. So, we need such weapons. We have a huge goal and we can&#39;t decide how much we need. 
&nbsp; 
Anchal:&nbsp;But your weapons have gone in the hands of ISIS and Nusra in the past?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;We are a power on the ground now and will not let anyone take our weapons.

(WION)

'The plan between Iran, Assad, al-Maliki and Hezbollah is to create a Shia country from Iran to Bahrain': Col. Haitham Afise, an FSA leader

By: Anchal Vohra Col. Haitham Afise is leading the 51st division brigade of the Free Syrian Army and is directly in touch with the Pentagon. One of the top Free Syrian Army leaders, he is coordinating the attack in Al Bab with the Pentagon and says his men are making fast progress. Post Al Bab he wants to take Idlib infested with Al Qaeda affiliates but not Raqqa yet. He spoke to WION's Anchal Vohra in Turkey. On India Anchal: Thank you very much for speaking with us. Has the Free Syrian Army established any contact with the India government and what are your expectations from them? Col. Afise: May peace be upon you. You are welcome. We were expecting from the Indian government to support us but they are supporting the regime. India is a symbol of freedom. We were peaceful in our demonstrations like Gandhi who fought the British, we took inspiration from him but India, may be, forgot its history and Gandhi. We started the revolution in a peaceful way but the regime attacked us and shot us. That is why I defected from the army to support the Syrian people and get our freedom. Anchal: You say you want India's support but Syrian government says the protests were not peaceful. They were violent. They show videos of protestors beheading Syrian army. How do you respond to that? Col. Afise: India is a superpower and they have good intelligence. It is impossible that the Syrian regime tells lies to the Indian government. They have to know the truth because they are a superpower and have great intelligence network. On Syrian government's lies Anchal: The Syrian government also said that the protesters asked for extremists to be released from the prison and because of that these terrorists are on the ground. Why did you ask for these terrorists to be released? Col. Afise: We didn't ask for the criminals to be released. We asked Assad to release people who got arrested in the revolution. The extremists were arrested before the revolution. They were released by the regime and then they formed different terror groups and became their leaders. Assad knew if these extremists are released they will destroy the revolution. Anchal: You are saying the defectors never asked for the extremists to be released? Col. Afise: We didn't ask the government to release them. They were in the jail. They were not only in Sednaya military prison in Syria but 950 came from prison in Iraq. Al Maliki claims they escaped the jail but Al Maliki did this so that they can join the war and the Islamic State. Anchal: So are you saying that Assad and Maliki created the ISIS problem? Col. Afise: Not only Bashar al-Assad and Maliki but also Iran. The plan between Iran, Assad, Maliki and Hezbollah is to create a Shia country from Iran to Bahrain. On Al Bab Anchal: What is the situation in Al Bab and if your figters are in Al Bab? Col. Afise: I am involved in the Operation Euphrates Shield. We kicked ISIS from the north of Al Bab and we are fighting in Al Bab. Now we are in the middle of Al Bab. Anchal: How long before your fighters will take Al Bab? Col. Afise: We took the biggest part of Al Bab and by tomorrow we take all of it. Very soon Isha Allah. On Penatgon and Raqqa Anchal: Is there any conversation that you have had with the Pentagon on Raqqa? Col. Afise: We all know that America supports Kurdish forces and they call them Syrian Democratic Forces. If they ask me to fight beside Kurdish forces against ISIS, I will never accept that because they are against our ideology and they don't support the Syrian revolution. On Russia Anchal: The Russians invited you to meet with them. What did they talk about? Col. Afise: I met them but Russia won't be involved in finding peaceful solution in Syria because they support the Assad regime. Anchal: What about the Russians? Are they more interested in fighting ISIS or Jabhat Al Nusra? Col. Afise: Russia doesn't care about ISIS. They only care about Nusra. The proof is that they don't attack ISIS and only Nusra and the Free Syrian Army. The reason is because Chechen people joined Nusra and they don't want them to come to Nusra. Anchal: What about America? Is America's focus ISIS, Nusra, Al Qaeda or all? Col. Afise: United State's only focus is to fight ISIS, not Nusra. Anchal: What about you? Col. Afise: For me, I have too many enemies -- Syrian regime, Nusra, ISIS and Kurdish militia but other countries, they have only one enemy. Anchal: So, can you fight with so many enemies? Or will you crack a deal with the devil and join hands with some of these groups? Col. Afise: I will continue fighting all the enemies of the Syrian people. I deal with other countries. The deal depends on the goals of the revolution, goals of my country. If useful, I will crack a deal. In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies. As long as the deal is useful for the Syrian revolution. On biggest challenge Anchal: What is your biggest challenge in order to fight ISIS and Nusra? Col. Afise: We need good quality weapons. To fight ISIS and Nusra, we have weapons but they are not of good quality. Anchal: Exactly what weapons and how many do you need? Col. Afise: We need anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles but of good qauality and we need long range weapons. If we get this, you won't find ISIS and Nusra type groups here. Before we were fighting like gangsters fight on the streets. Now, it's a fight between cities. So, we need such weapons. We have a huge goal and we can't decide how much we need. Anchal: But your weapons have gone in the hands of ISIS and Nusra in the past? Col. Afise: We are a power on the ground now and will not let anyone take our weapons. (WION)

Exclusive: Free Syrian Army leader talks about challenges of fighting the Islamic State

&quot;The army arrested me in 2012 in Palmyra. They kept me in jail there, alone, for 15 days and beating was very hard. I was lashed with sticks and belts. Then they moved me to Damascus, I was held as a&nbsp;prisoner in&nbsp;Section 291,&quot; says Abu Alabas on the phone. &nbsp;

Abu Alabas&nbsp;is from Palmyra, Syria. He took part in the uprising against Syria&#39;s President Bashar Al-Assad, reason for which the army arrested him.

(WION is collecting several&nbsp;<a href="http://?http://www.wionews.com/world/abuse-torture-sexual-assault-in-syrias-prisons-12141">testimonies</a> of Syrians who experienced torture and violence in custody)&nbsp; &nbsp;

Section 291 is an infamous place among Syrian dissidents. It is one of the several temporary detention centres run by Syrian security services. Many of these places started functioning during the demonstrations demanding more democracy and participation from President Bashar Al-Assad. Regular jails were not enough to contain all those who were arrested. &nbsp;

The NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) drew a map to pinpoint these places and gathered 200 testimonies. When profiling Section 291&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/media/images/photographs/2012_Torture_Damascus_EN.jpg">they wrote&nbsp;that</a> &nbsp;&#39;beating; beating with objects; shabeh; electrocution; threats against detainee; exposure to cold; threats against family members; sexual abuse&#39; were all documented torture methods.&nbsp;

Shabeh seems to be common in Syrian detention centres. According to survivors who were imprisoned by the Islamic State, the terrorist organisation also uses this method extensively.

This method uses&nbsp;hanging a person to the ceiling by the wrists, sometimes with the arms rotating&nbsp;behind their back. Then the prisoner is lifted enough to impede the feet to touch the floor. The entire bodyweight is on the wrists and this prevents blood to reach the hands which starts swelling and paining. If a prisoner is handcuffed during the process, the handcuffs cut and penetrate the flash every time he or she moves. While the person is hanging in tremendous pain, jailers often walk in the cell to beat him or her. &nbsp;

&quot;They gave us very little food, enough to survive. In one room there were 18 men. They (the guards) did not beat me as hard as in Palmyra, but I saw when they were beating the others. They were using all methods of torture. People were tied by their wrists to the roof. Others were made to stand for&nbsp;days or deprived of sleep. Guards pulled off prisoners&#39; nails,&quot; reminds Abu Alabas.&nbsp;

&quot;Why were you arrested?&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;Because I was part of the revolution.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;Were you with the Free Syrian Army (FSA)?&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;Yes.&quot;&nbsp;

Abu Alabas was an active member of the anti-Assad front, he was fighting against the regular army within the ranks of the Free Syrian Army. In the first stage of Syria&#39;s uprising, the FSA gathered both civilians and military personnel who refused to shoot at protesters and deserted. The organisation later dissolved due to lack of funds and support and many of its members either abandoned the country or ended up fighting with the Islamic state or Jabhat Fateh Al-Sham, formerly Al-Nusra. It is not clear if the FSA still plays any relevant role in the Syrian conflict, many even&nbsp;question&nbsp;its existence. &nbsp;

In 2012, the Free Syrian Army was at war against regular Syrian forces. From the government perspective, they were leading an armed uprising and it had to be repressed. A government has a formal license to arrest individuals who raise weapons against them, but this does not, in any case, entitle to physical and psychological torture, beating or random executions. All these are internationally recognised as violation of human rights, whoever the perpetrator.&nbsp;

&quot;After four months I ran away from the jail in Damascus,&quot; says Abu Alabas(voice cracking with emotion)&nbsp;

&quot;Where did you go?&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;I crossed the Turkish border. I live in Turkey now, I was a computer engineer in Palmyra, but I have no job.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;What about the option of going back to your country?&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;I cannot go back to my country because if the army catches me they are going to put me in jail. I also cannot go back to my house because there is Daesh (the Arabic name for ISIS) and they will kill me if I go there. There is no one living in Palmyra today. The only option I have is if I reach the city of Idlib with the Free Syrian Army... but, not easy... mushkila (problem). I hope I will go back one day, inshallah,&quot; says Abu Alabas before wrapping up the conversation.&nbsp;

(WION) 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

People were tied by their wrists to the roof. Others were made to stand for days, an ex-prisoner of the Assad govt said

"The army arrested me in 2012 in Palmyra. They kept me in jail there, alone, for 15 days and beating was very hard. I was lashed with sticks and belts. Then they moved me to Damascus, I was held as a prisoner in Section 291," says Abu Alabas on the phone. Abu Alabas is from Palmyra, Syria. He took part in the uprising against Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad, reason for which the army arrested him. (WION is collecting several testimonies of Syrians who experienced torture and violence in custody) Section 291 is an infamous place among Syrian dissidents. It is one of the several temporary detention centres run by Syrian security services. Many of these places started functioning during the demonstrations demanding more democracy and participation from President Bashar Al-Assad. Regular jails were not enough to contain all those who were arrested. The NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) drew a map to pinpoint these places and gathered 200 testimonies. When profiling Section 291 they wrote that 'beating; beating with objects; shabeh; electrocution; threats against detainee; exposure to cold; threats against family members; sexual abuse' were all documented torture methods. Shabeh seems to be common in Syrian detention centres. According to survivors who were imprisoned by the Islamic State, the terrorist organisation also uses this method extensively. This method uses hanging a person to the ceiling by the wrists, sometimes with the arms rotating behind their back. Then the prisoner is lifted enough to impede the feet to touch the floor. The entire bodyweight is on the wrists and this prevents blood to reach the hands which starts swelling and paining. If a prisoner is handcuffed during the process, the handcuffs cut and penetrate the flash every time he or she moves. While the person is hanging in tremendous pain, jailers often walk in the cell to beat him or her. "They gave us very little food, enough to survive. In one room there were 18 men. They (the guards) did not beat me as hard as in Palmyra, but I saw when they were beating the others. They were using all methods of torture. People were tied by their wrists to the roof. Others were made to stand for days or deprived of sleep. Guards pulled off prisoners' nails," reminds Abu Alabas. "Why were you arrested?" "Because I was part of the revolution." "Were you with the Free Syrian Army (FSA)?" "Yes." Abu Alabas was an active member of the anti-Assad front, he was fighting against the regular army within the ranks of the Free Syrian Army. In the first stage of Syria's uprising, the FSA gathered both civilians and military personnel who refused to shoot at protesters and deserted. The organisation later dissolved due to lack of funds and support and many of its members either abandoned the country or ended up fighting with the Islamic state or Jabhat Fateh Al-Sham, formerly Al-Nusra. It is not clear if the FSA still plays any relevant role in the Syrian conflict, many even question its existence. In 2012, the Free Syrian Army was at war against regular Syrian forces. From the government perspective, they were leading an armed uprising and it had to be repressed. A government has a formal license to arrest individuals who raise weapons against them, but this does not, in any case, entitle to physical and psychological torture, beating or random executions. All these are internationally recognised as violation of human rights, whoever the perpetrator. "After four months I ran away from the jail in Damascus," says Abu Alabas(voice cracking with emotion) "Where did you go?" "I crossed the Turkish border. I live in Turkey now, I was a computer engineer in Palmyra, but I have no job." "What about the option of going back to your country?" "I cannot go back to my country because if the army catches me they are going to put me in jail. I also cannot go back to my house because there is Daesh (the Arabic name for ISIS) and they will kill me if I go there. There is no one living in Palmyra today. The only option I have is if I reach the city of Idlib with the Free Syrian Army... but, not easy... mushkila (problem). I hope I will go back one day, inshallah," says Abu Alabas before wrapping up the conversation. (WION)

Syria's government detention centre survivor recalls torture, beating

The Syrian army said on Sunday that it had recaptured a flashpoint area from rebels near Damascus that supplies water to the capital.

Wadi Barada had been the scene of fierce fighting in recent weeks between regime and rebel forces that tested a fragile nationwide truce and left millions in Damascus facing water shortages.

&quot;Our armed forces ... have accomplished their mission by restoring security and stability in the region of Wadi Barada&quot;, the army said in a statement carried by state television.

The announcement came a day after the army entered the water pumping station in Wadi Barada for the first time in four years.

Under a deal with the authorities, rebels can choose to stay in the area but hand over their weapons, or leave to the northern province of Idlib, last major bastion of the armed opposition.

Around 5.5 million people in Damascus and its suburbs have been without water since fighting intensified in the Wadi Barada area in late December.

(AFP) 
&nbsp;

Wadi Barada had been the scene of fierce fighting in recent weeks that left millions in Damascus facing water shortages

The Syrian army said on Sunday that it had recaptured a flashpoint area from rebels near Damascus that supplies water to the capital. Wadi Barada had been the scene of fierce fighting in recent weeks between regime and rebel forces that tested a fragile nationwide truce and left millions in Damascus facing water shortages. "Our armed forces ... have accomplished their mission by restoring security and stability in the region of Wadi Barada", the army said in a statement carried by state television. The announcement came a day after the army entered the water pumping station in Wadi Barada for the first time in four years. Under a deal with the authorities, rebels can choose to stay in the area but hand over their weapons, or leave to the northern province of Idlib, last major bastion of the armed opposition. Around 5.5 million people in Damascus and its suburbs have been without water since fighting intensified in the Wadi Barada area in late December. (AFP)

Syrian army says retakes key rebel area near Damascus

A jihadist group has launched a major assault on Free Syrian Army groups in northwestern Syria as they attend peace talks in Kazakhstan, rebel officials said on Tuesday, an attempt to crush the moderate wing of the insurgency against the government.

Officials from the jihadist group, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, could not immediately be reached for comment. Fateh al-Sham was previously known as the Nusra Front. It changed its name after announcing it was cutting ties with al Qaeda last year.

Tensions have been building between Fateh al-Sham and more moderate rebel groups since the opposition was defeated in Aleppo last month. Fateh al-Sham is not covered by a shaky truce between government forces and rebels who are meeting in the Kazakh capital Astana. The aim of the meeting, organised by Russia, Turkey and Iran, is to shore up the ceasefire.

The Fateh al-Sham assault was focused in rebel-held areas to the west of Aleppo, and adjoining areas of Idlib province, which is almost entirely in insurgent hands.

An official in one of the rebel groups, Jabha Shamiya, told Reuters the attack began overnight, describing it as a large assault in several areas. The official said it was the first time Fateh al-Sham had attacked the FSA groups in that area.

&quot;What they are doing serves Iran and the regime - so there is no FSA left in the north - particularly with the factions&#39; delegation now in Astana where the regime offered nothing with regards to the ceasefire,&quot; said the Jabha Shamiya official.

The FSA groups now needed to coordinate their efforts to repel the attack, he said.

The commander of a second FSA rebel group, Jaish al-Mujahideen, told Reuters the &quot;extremely fierce&quot; Fateh al-Sham attack aimed to &quot;eliminate the revolution and turn it black&quot;, a reference to the black flag flown by the jihadists in Syria.

He said the group had seized &quot;some positions&quot;, though these were far from its headquarters.

Fateh al-Sham has a history of attacking and defeating FSA groups throughout the conflict that began in 2011, typically factions backed by President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s foreign enemies.

One of the single biggest groups in the insurgency, Fateh al-Sham has been targeted in a spate of US&nbsp;airstrikes in northwestern Syria since the new year. One of these killed dozens of its fighters at a training camp in Idlib last week.

The Pentagon said that attack was carried out by a B-52 bomber and killed more than 100 al Qaeda fighters.

(Reuters)

An official in one of the rebel groups told Reuters the attack began overnight, describing it as a large assault in several areas

A jihadist group has launched a major assault on Free Syrian Army groups in northwestern Syria as they attend peace talks in Kazakhstan, rebel officials said on Tuesday, an attempt to crush the moderate wing of the insurgency against the government. Officials from the jihadist group, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, could not immediately be reached for comment. Fateh al-Sham was previously known as the Nusra Front. It changed its name after announcing it was cutting ties with al Qaeda last year. Tensions have been building between Fateh al-Sham and more moderate rebel groups since the opposition was defeated in Aleppo last month. Fateh al-Sham is not covered by a shaky truce between government forces and rebels who are meeting in the Kazakh capital Astana. The aim of the meeting, organised by Russia, Turkey and Iran, is to shore up the ceasefire. The Fateh al-Sham assault was focused in rebel-held areas to the west of Aleppo, and adjoining areas of Idlib province, which is almost entirely in insurgent hands. An official in one of the rebel groups, Jabha Shamiya, told Reuters the attack began overnight, describing it as a large assault in several areas. The official said it was the first time Fateh al-Sham had attacked the FSA groups in that area. "What they are doing serves Iran and the regime - so there is no FSA left in the north - particularly with the factions' delegation now in Astana where the regime offered nothing with regards to the ceasefire," said the Jabha Shamiya official. The FSA groups now needed to coordinate their efforts to repel the attack, he said. The commander of a second FSA rebel group, Jaish al-Mujahideen, told Reuters the "extremely fierce" Fateh al-Sham attack aimed to "eliminate the revolution and turn it black", a reference to the black flag flown by the jihadists in Syria. He said the group had seized "some positions", though these were far from its headquarters. Fateh al-Sham has a history of attacking and defeating FSA groups throughout the conflict that began in 2011, typically factions backed by President Bashar al-Assad's foreign enemies. One of the single biggest groups in the insurgency, Fateh al-Sham has been targeted in a spate of US airstrikes in northwestern Syria since the new year. One of these killed dozens of its fighters at a training camp in Idlib last week. The Pentagon said that attack was carried out by a B-52 bomber and killed more than 100 al Qaeda fighters. (Reuters)

Jihadists in Syria launch assault on rebels attending peace talks

&quot;We are ready to negotiate about everything,&quot; said Syrian President Bashar Al Assad referring to the proposed peace talks in Kazakhstan between his government and the many rebel groups active in the country.&nbsp;

Asked if that included his position as president, he said &quot;yes but my position is linked to the constitution&quot;. He said that whatever change needs to be applied to the constitution it must come after a referendum, giving to Syrians the chance to decide.

It is still unclear when the peace talk will be held and who will sit around the table to negotiate. The decision to held such meeting came shortly after the so called rebels suffered their final defeat in eastern Aleppo.

The peace talks have been pushed forward due to continued accuations of ceasfire violations between the parts.

The anti-Assad &quot;Free Syrian Army&quot; earlier this month said they had frozen any talks due to violations of the ceasefire, chiefly in the city of Wadi Barada near Damascus.

The Syrian army backed by its Lebanese ally Hezbollah has been trying to recapture the Wadi Barada valley where Syria&#39;s capital main water source is located.

According&nbsp;to Assad, the area was held by Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, &nbsp;a jihadist group not covered by the ceasefire. &quot;The terrorists occupy the main water source for Damascus, denying more than 5 million civilians water for more than three weeks,&quot; he said. &quot;The Syrian army&#39;s role is to liberate that area,&quot;

Assad said that any discussion of &quot;Syrian issues&quot; must be held between Syrian groups and he pointed out that many of the rebel brigades are funded by foreign powers, specifically Saudi Arabia, France and Britain. He pointed out that the main Syrian opposition umbrella group, the High Negotiations Committee, is backed by Riyadh.

&quot;Who will be there from the other side? We do not yet know. Will it be a real Syrian opposition?&quot;, he asked provocatively.

Referring to the campaigning&nbsp;to retake the city of Raqqa, the de facto capital city of the Islamic State, President Assad said that it is his country&#39;s duty to defeat the terrorist organisation.&nbsp;

Currently a numerous militia made of Arabs and Kurds, the Syrian Democratic Force (SDF) is fighting to clean and secure the many villages surrounding the city. The People&#39;s Protection Unit (YPG) are the backbone of these forces and have claimed many times to be willing to retain the territories they liberated and fund an autonomous democratic&nbsp;and self-ruled region.

Assad&#39;s project is clear though, &quot;every inch&quot; of Syrian land and all Syria should be under state authority.

(WION with inputs from Reuters) 
&nbsp;

He claimed to be ready to even discuss his presidential office if Syrians were willing to vote

"We are ready to negotiate about everything," said Syrian President Bashar Al Assad referring to the proposed peace talks in Kazakhstan between his government and the many rebel groups active in the country. Asked if that included his position as president, he said "yes but my position is linked to the constitution". He said that whatever change needs to be applied to the constitution it must come after a referendum, giving to Syrians the chance to decide. It is still unclear when the peace talk will be held and who will sit around the table to negotiate. The decision to held such meeting came shortly after the so called rebels suffered their final defeat in eastern Aleppo. The peace talks have been pushed forward due to continued accuations of ceasfire violations between the parts. The anti-Assad "Free Syrian Army" earlier this month said they had frozen any talks due to violations of the ceasefire, chiefly in the city of Wadi Barada near Damascus. The Syrian army backed by its Lebanese ally Hezbollah has been trying to recapture the Wadi Barada valley where Syria's capital main water source is located. According to Assad, the area was held by Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, a jihadist group not covered by the ceasefire. "The terrorists occupy the main water source for Damascus, denying more than 5 million civilians water for more than three weeks," he said. "The Syrian army's role is to liberate that area," Assad said that any discussion of "Syrian issues" must be held between Syrian groups and he pointed out that many of the rebel brigades are funded by foreign powers, specifically Saudi Arabia, France and Britain. He pointed out that the main Syrian opposition umbrella group, the High Negotiations Committee, is backed by Riyadh. "Who will be there from the other side? We do not yet know. Will it be a real Syrian opposition?", he asked provocatively. Referring to the campaigning to retake the city of Raqqa, the de facto capital city of the Islamic State, President Assad said that it is his country's duty to defeat the terrorist organisation. Currently a numerous militia made of Arabs and Kurds, the Syrian Democratic Force (SDF) is fighting to clean and secure the many villages surrounding the city. The People's Protection Unit (YPG) are the backbone of these forces and have claimed many times to be willing to retain the territories they liberated and fund an autonomous democratic and self-ruled region. Assad's project is clear though, "every inch" of Syrian land and all Syria should be under state authority. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Syria's President Assad says is ready to negotiate 'everything' in future peace talks with rebels

<div style="text-align: justify;">Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim declared on Sunday that Turkish army and rebels belonging to the Free Syrian Army (FSA) finally secured 95 km of Turkish-Syrian border which were under the control of the Islamic State (IS).&nbsp; 
 
Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war, this border segment has served as a supply corridor for terrorists, allowing goods, weapons and foreign fighters to enter Syria.&nbsp; 
 
Turkish soldiers and FSA rebels are fighting to secure the inner part of the area. Their main objective is to move south and reach the city of Al-Bab, an IS stronghold.&nbsp; 
 
The Free Syrian Army was created by a group of army deserters in 2011 in opposition to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. During the conflict, the group fragmented and it is reported that many of its fighters joined Islamic State&#39;s ranks.&nbsp; 
 
The Turkish and FSA offensive is part of Operation Euphrates Shield, started on August 24 from the border city of Jarablus, on the western banks of the Euphrates. &nbsp; 
 
The river is the longest of western Asia. It starts from Turkey, flows through Syria and Iraq before flowing into the Persian Gulf. Since ancient times, it represents a vital waterway to move men and goods throughout the whole of West Asia. &nbsp; 
 
The majority of its Syrian flow is currently under IS control but the loss of Jarablus prevents them access from Turkey, depriving them of a fundamental entry point.&nbsp; 
 
It remains unclear why Turkey did not secure this area before.&nbsp; 
 
The border line running from the city of Jarablus to the city of Al-Rai stands between the Syrian region of Rojava, a Kurdish-controlled area, and the Kurdish constituency of Afrin. Both these locations are under the control of the Yek&icirc;ney&ecirc;n Parastina Gel (YPG), the People&#39;s Protection Unit, a &nbsp;Kurdish army which is fighting on the ground since 2012 against the Islamic State.&nbsp; 
 
YPG is an official US ally, its members have been trained by American military personnel. It has the characteristics of a guerrilla force which relies on surprise and speedy action and has a significant component of women fighters within its rank and file. 
 
Its main task is to enter cities and villages after US airstrikes to clear the Islamic State&#39;s pockets of resistance.&nbsp; 
 
The Turkish government considers the YPG a terrorist organisation and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim stated that they will not accept the existence of a Kurdish region right across their border.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;We will never allow an artificial state in Northern Syria,&quot; he said on Sunday. &nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/syrian_civil_war-20160905112255.png" />
<div class="media-description">
A map describing the current situation in Syria. (Courtesy: Wikipedia)
</div>

<div class="media-description">
 
Operation Euphrates Shield allows Turkey to take control of an area that will make it impossible for the two Kurdish regions to reunite. Relations between Turkey and the Kurdish population have&nbsp;never been easy. Kurds are an ethnic group spread between Syria, Turkey, Iran and Iraq and have long asked and fought for an independent state, Kurdistan, located across these nations. The request has never been considered feasible by Turkey&nbsp;whose territory would be the most affected. Turkey&nbsp;is home to more than ten million Kurds. &nbsp;
</div>
This denial resulted in a two-decade long Kurdish insurgency characterised by violence on both sides. The European Court of Human Rights has reported thousands of human rights violations, including executions, torture, forced displacements, village destructions and arbitrary arrests perpetrated by the Turkish government against the Kurdish population.&nbsp; 
 
Ankara believes that the YPG is just its extension and that a Kurdish stronghold, right across the border, could give a new lifeline to the Kurds living in Turkey. Turkey is scared that it will bolster their separatist spirit. &nbsp; 
 
Attacking the YPG means attacking a formal US ally but Turkey belongs to NATO. This puts Washington in a tricky situation.&nbsp; 
 
During the first phase of Operation Euphrates Shield, the Turkish army declared to have killed 25 &ldquo;Kurdish terrorists,&rdquo; an action that has been judged by the US Department of State &quot;unacceptable and a source of deep concern.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
The United States &quot;were not involved in these activities, they were not coordinated with US forces, and we do not support them,&quot; said Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook.&nbsp; 
 
When Turkish forces and Free Syrian Army rebels entered the city of Jarablus, they ordered the Kurds to retreat to the eastern bank of the Euphrates river, a request that was immediately supported by the US.&nbsp; 
 
The YPG high command has sent an official Tweet, requesting its fighters not to fight back and reminding them that the true enemy is the Islamic State and not Turkey.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;
<div class="twitter-block">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YPG?src=hash">#YPG</a>&rsquo;s Command: Repeated <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Turkey?src=hash">#Turkey</a> Army&rsquo;s assaults on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rojava?src=hash">#Rojava</a>/Northern <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Syria?src=hash">#Syria</a> border in Derik, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kobane?src=hash">#Kobane</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Efrin?src=hash">#Efrin</a>, Aug 27 <a href="https://t.co/eLXAIj7J7S">pic.twitter.com/eLXAIj7J7S</a>
&mdash; Rojava Defense Units (@DefenseUnits) <a href="https://twitter.com/DefenseUnits/status/769506841772556288">27 August 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
It is, nonetheless, unlikely that the situation will remain stable for long. Even if Kurds are not yet responding, they make no bones about their intention to remain in Rojava after &ndash; and if &ndash; the war is over.&nbsp; 
 
President Erdogan is also clear about his programme. He said in a statement that the offensive would continue until &quot;the threat of Islamic State and YPG/PKK is over.&quot; &nbsp; 
 
US defence secretary Ashton Carter said he had appealed to both sides not to fight. &quot;That&#39;s the basis of our cooperation with both of them, specifically not to engage one another,&quot; he said. &nbsp; 
 
Ankara denied the existence of any official ceasefire and does not seem to be willing to change its mind. During a meeting with US President Obama, the first after the coup, on Sunday at the G20 summit in Hangzhou, President Erdogan said, &ldquo;We have to embrace the same stance against all terrorist organisations around the world.&rdquo; &ldquo;Our hope is never to see a belt of terrorism, a corridor of terrorism emerging in or around our region.&rdquo; &nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;There is no good terrorist or bad terrorist; every kind of terrorism is bad,&rdquo; Erdogan said after the meeting with Obama, the Turkish state-run Anadolu news agency reported. &nbsp; 
 
Operation Euphrates Shield is a stress test for US-Turkey relations which are at its lowest after the failed Turkey coup and the allegations made by President Erdogan of a possible US role in it. Ankara has been demanding the extradition of Fetullah Gulen, the Pennsylvania-based cleric who they believe to be the mastermind behind the coup.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
(WION)</div>

The Turkish military's offensive inside Syria is a stress test for US-Turkey relations

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim declared on Sunday that Turkish army and rebels belonging to the Free Syrian Army (FSA) finally secured 95 km of Turkish-Syrian border which were under the control of the Islamic State (IS). Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war, this border segment has served as a supply corridor for terrorists, allowing goods, weapons and foreign fighters to enter Syria. Turkish soldiers and FSA rebels are fighting to secure the inner part of the area. Their main objective is to move south and reach the city of Al-Bab, an IS stronghold. The Free Syrian Army was created by a group of army deserters in 2011 in opposition to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. During the conflict, the group fragmented and it is reported that many of its fighters joined Islamic State's ranks. The Turkish and FSA offensive is part of Operation Euphrates Shield, started on August 24 from the border city of Jarablus, on the western banks of the Euphrates. The river is the longest of western Asia. It starts from Turkey, flows through Syria and Iraq before flowing into the Persian Gulf. Since ancient times, it represents a vital waterway to move men and goods throughout the whole of West Asia. The majority of its Syrian flow is currently under IS control but the loss of Jarablus prevents them access from Turkey, depriving them of a fundamental entry point. It remains unclear why Turkey did not secure this area before. The border line running from the city of Jarablus to the city of Al-Rai stands between the Syrian region of Rojava, a Kurdish-controlled area, and the Kurdish constituency of Afrin. Both these locations are under the control of the Yekîneyên Parastina Gel (YPG), the People's Protection Unit, a Kurdish army which is fighting on the ground since 2012 against the Islamic State. YPG is an official US ally, its members have been trained by American military personnel. It has the characteristics of a guerrilla force which relies on surprise and speedy action and has a significant component of women fighters within its rank and file. Its main task is to enter cities and villages after US airstrikes to clear the Islamic State's pockets of resistance. The Turkish government considers the YPG a terrorist organisation and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim stated that they will not accept the existence of a Kurdish region right across their border. "We will never allow an artificial state in Northern Syria," he said on Sunday. A map describing the current situation in Syria. (Courtesy: Wikipedia) Operation Euphrates Shield allows Turkey to take control of an area that will make it impossible for the two Kurdish regions to reunite. Relations between Turkey and the Kurdish population have never been easy. Kurds are an ethnic group spread between Syria, Turkey, Iran and Iraq and have long asked and fought for an independent state, Kurdistan, located across these nations. The request has never been considered feasible by Turkey whose territory would be the most affected. Turkey is home to more than ten million Kurds. This denial resulted in a two-decade long Kurdish insurgency characterised by violence on both sides. The European Court of Human Rights has reported thousands of human rights violations, including executions, torture, forced displacements, village destructions and arbitrary arrests perpetrated by the Turkish government against the Kurdish population. Ankara believes that the YPG is just its extension and that a Kurdish stronghold, right across the border, could give a new lifeline to the Kurds living in Turkey. Turkey is scared that it will bolster their separatist spirit. Attacking the YPG means attacking a formal US ally but Turkey belongs to NATO. This puts Washington in a tricky situation. During the first phase of Operation Euphrates Shield, the Turkish army declared to have killed 25 “Kurdish terrorists,” an action that has been judged by the US Department of State "unacceptable and a source of deep concern." The United States "were not involved in these activities, they were not coordinated with US forces, and we do not support them," said Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook. When Turkish forces and Free Syrian Army rebels entered the city of Jarablus, they ordered the Kurds to retreat to the eastern bank of the Euphrates river, a request that was immediately supported by the US. The YPG high command has sent an official Tweet, requesting its fighters not to fight back and reminding them that the true enemy is the Islamic State and not Turkey. #YPG’s Command: Repeated #Turkey Army’s assaults on #Rojava/Northern #Syria border in Derik, #Kobane, #Efrin, Aug 27 pic.twitter.com/eLXAIj7J7S — Rojava Defense Units (@DefenseUnits) 27 August 2016 It is, nonetheless, unlikely that the situation will remain stable for long. Even if Kurds are not yet responding, they make no bones about their intention to remain in Rojava after – and if – the war is over. President Erdogan is also clear about his programme. He said in a statement that the offensive would continue until "the threat of Islamic State and YPG/PKK is over." US defence secretary Ashton Carter said he had appealed to both sides not to fight. "That's the basis of our cooperation with both of them, specifically not to engage one another," he said. Ankara denied the existence of any official ceasefire and does not seem to be willing to change its mind. During a meeting with US President Obama, the first after the coup, on Sunday at the G20 summit in Hangzhou, President Erdogan said, “We have to embrace the same stance against all terrorist organisations around the world.” “Our hope is never to see a belt of terrorism, a corridor of terrorism emerging in or around our region.” “There is no good terrorist or bad terrorist; every kind of terrorism is bad,” Erdogan said after the meeting with Obama, the Turkish state-run Anadolu news agency reported. Operation Euphrates Shield is a stress test for US-Turkey relations which are at its lowest after the failed Turkey coup and the allegations made by President Erdogan of a possible US role in it. Ankara has been demanding the extradition of Fetullah Gulen, the Pennsylvania-based cleric who they believe to be the mastermind behind the coup. (WION)

Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield: Ankara may be fighting IS but the Kurds are also in gunsight

Free Syrian Army militants were seen driving out United States troops from a border town in a video clip put up on Twitter, a development that can have repurcussions in the FSA-US relations. 
 
The US Central Command is investigating the footage, its spokesperson said. 
 
The footage shows FSA militants hurling abuses at the American commandos in al-Rai town near the Turkish border. 
 
One man can be heard shouting&nbsp;&quot;dogs, agents of America&quot; in Arabic while others call the American troops &quot;crusaders&quot;, &quot;pigs&quot; and &quot;infidels&quot;. They are even heard chanting, &quot;They (America) are coming to Syria to occupy it.&quot; 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ABD?src=hash">#ABD</a> askerleri ve onlara bagli gruplar <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%C3%87obanbey?src=hash">#?obanbey</a>&#39;den boyle kovuldu (2) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Halep?src=hash">#Halep</a> <a href="https://t.co/8q70UZj9dW">pic.twitter.com/8q70UZj9dW</a>
&mdash; Levent Kemal (@ValkryV) <a href="https://twitter.com/ValkryV/status/776746004456546304">September 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
 
Another voice in the video can be seen saying in Arabic: &quot;We won&#39;t accept any Americans participating alongside us.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
This one of the first documented instances where some sections of the FSA have voiced their opposition to US&#39; presence on their soil. 
 
The vitriol against the US forces further complicates matters in the years-long Syria war. Although FSA is backed by the US, the video suggests&nbsp;not everything is fine between the two, perhaps because of America&#39;s partnership with Kurdish militia.&nbsp; 
 
(WION)
&nbsp;

A video shows Free Syrian Army militants abusing and driving out US commandos from a border town of Syria

Free Syrian Army militants were seen driving out United States troops from a border town in a video clip put up on Twitter, a development that can have repurcussions in the FSA-US relations. The US Central Command is investigating the footage, its spokesperson said. The footage shows FSA militants hurling abuses at the American commandos in al-Rai town near the Turkish border. One man can be heard shouting "dogs, agents of America" in Arabic while others call the American troops "crusaders", "pigs" and "infidels". They are even heard chanting, "They (America) are coming to Syria to occupy it." #ABD askerleri ve onlara bagli gruplar #?obanbey'den boyle kovuldu (2) #Halep pic.twitter.com/8q70UZj9dW — Levent Kemal (@ValkryV) September 16, 2016 Another voice in the video can be seen saying in Arabic: "We won't accept any Americans participating alongside us." This one of the first documented instances where some sections of the FSA have voiced their opposition to US' presence on their soil. The vitriol against the US forces further complicates matters in the years-long Syria war. Although FSA is backed by the US, the video suggests not everything is fine between the two, perhaps because of America's partnership with Kurdish militia. (WION)

US-backed rebel fighters eject American troops from Syrian town

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