Category: Featured

Mission Accomplished: Border Security à la Ankara

The following is an operational review focused on Operation Euphrates Shield, launched, coordinated by the Turkish Armed Forces and spearheaded by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and allies. Preface On…

The following is an operational review focused on Operation Euphrates Shield, launched, coordinated by the Turkish Armed Forces and spearheaded by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and allies.

Preface

On 24th July 2016, limited Turkish tanks assets alongside Special Operators have passed the border into Syria, also assisting hundreds of Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels to liberate the Syrian border city of Jarabulus (Operation Euphrates Shield). Located in NE Aleppo Governorate, on the north-eastern banks of the Syrian Euphrates river, the city has been under Da’esh (ISIS) control for over 2 years. Besides the internal security threat posed by Da’esh a more prioritized liability is presented by the PKK that operates inside Turkey since the 80’s and its Allies in Syria and Iraq. The PYD political groups from northern Syria has established military wings – YPG/ YPJ – since 2013 and are leading the US-backed multi-ethnic military organization Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Recent success of this group, lead and populated 60% by Kurdish forces, was translate on the ground by territorial advancements in Manbij and intentions towards Al-Bab and Jarabulus; the later city being right at the Turkish border. After this developments, Ankara has threatened and acted upon it’s words:

Comments Off on Mission Accomplished: Border Security à la Ankara

Towards an Ankara-Damascus endgame in Syria?

The recent developments in northern Syria have reconfigured again the chessboard of the Syrian Civil War. Turks have crossed the border in Jarabulus alongside FSA groups to free the city…

The recent developments in northern Syria have reconfigured again the chessboard of the Syrian Civil War. Turks have crossed the border in Jarabulus alongside FSA groups to free the city from Da’esh, and then extended its effort towards ousting the YPG, and even Kurdish elements from SDF, towards east of Euphrates; the mentioned groups also planned to free Jarabulus from ISIS thereby extending Kurdish land grab to the Turkish border – from Ankara’s perspective. The US, who was believed to be in the middle of a fall out with Ankara, has not only supported the Euphrates Shield Operation in Jarabulus, but the White House publicly threatened that if the Kurds don’t retreat to the other side of the river, they will lose US support[1]. (VIDEO Briefing on the Turkish invasion in Syria here)

1 Comment on Towards an Ankara-Damascus endgame in Syria?

Turkey enters Syria: Operation Euphrates Shield (VIDEO)

As prospected by Transylvania Intelligence since August 2015, and announced on 1 am 24 august 2016, Turkey enters Syria in a limited cross-border operation, with tanks and special forces, empowering…

As prospected by Transylvania Intelligence since August 2015, and announced on 1 am 24 august 2016, Turkey enters Syria in a limited cross-border operation, with tanks and special forces, empowering FSA groups in freeing Jarabulus from ISIS rule. With US air support, this Turkish intervention is barley just an anti-Da’esh op as it is also focused in deterring #Kurdish advancements in the west of Euphrates. Take a look at this briefing to see raw footage, battlefield context and #geopolitical explanations.

Comments Off on Turkey enters Syria: Operation Euphrates Shield (VIDEO)

Danger Close for US Operators in Hasakah

Close call between Syrian and American forcesin north-eastern Syria after two Syrian Arab Army fighter jets dropped bombs on Kurdish positions in Hasakah, where US Special Forces were also present….

Close call between Syrian and American forcesin north-eastern Syria after two Syrian Arab Army fighter jets dropped bombs on Kurdish positions in Hasakah, where US Special Forces were also present. In response, U.S. planes were scrambled in the area, making it one of the most critical US-Syria episodes since the War broke out[1]. Hasakah is in the Kurdish proclaimed Roajava federation which incorporates most of the northern Syrian lands, and has the YPG-led, US backed SDF as its officially army.

Comments Off on Danger Close for US Operators in Hasakah

After Manbij, SDF eyes al-Bab

The next operational step in SDF’s (Syrian Democratic Forces) successful campaign of ousting ISIS from Rojava (Kurdish for “West”; name for northern Syria) was under debate after the liberation of…

The next operational step in SDF’s (Syrian Democratic Forces) successful campaign of ousting ISIS from Rojava (Kurdish for “West”; name for northern Syria) was under debate after the liberation of Manbij from the terrorist occupation. One option was advancing towards the north, where Da’esh still has villages under control, and then continue to Jarabalus and free a major Turkish border checkpoint.

Comments Off on After Manbij, SDF eyes al-Bab

Nusra – Al Qaeda Split: Rebranding or Reform?

Following Jabhat al-Nusra’s decision to split from the main Al-Qaeda structure with mutual acceptance, this descriptive analysis explores the organization’s history and its motives of this decision. It also considers…

Following Jabhat al-Nusra’s decision to split from the main Al-Qaeda structure with mutual acceptance, this descriptive analysis explores the organization’s history and its motives of this decision. It also considers prospective outcomes, taking into account all the major inputs of the regional and local chessboard as well as the geopolitical array.

Comments Off on Nusra – Al Qaeda Split: Rebranding or Reform?

NATO’s Warsaw Summit: Recap

During July 8-9 the 27th NATO Summit has taken place in the Polish capital of Warsaw. This location was were decades ago, in 1955, the infaimous response to NATO was…

During July 8-9 the 27th NATO Summit has taken place in the Polish capital of Warsaw. This location was were decades ago, in 1955, the infaimous response to NATO was formed, by the Communists countries under Soviet influence: The Warsaw Pact. Now it hosts one of the most important meetings of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, in which agenda, a resurgent Russia and its destabilizing features in Eastern Europe, are hot topics.

Comments Off on NATO’s Warsaw Summit: Recap

The Forgotten “Wild Card”: Israel in Syria

Recent Context Following Benjamin’s Netanyahu’s Monday announcement, we can conclude that Israel has hit “dozens of targets” in Syria against Hezbollah. No further detailed intelligence is known except that the…

Recent Context

Following Benjamin’s Netanyahu’s Monday announcement, we can conclude that Israel has hit “dozens of targets” in Syria against Hezbollah. No further detailed intelligence is known except that the motivation for the attacks was to stop the Shiia non-state actor from acquiring more weapons. The purpose of this analysis is to unravel what’s Israel’s interest in Syria and how can it be applied on the current scenario.

Comments Off on The Forgotten “Wild Card”: Israel in Syria

Type on the field below and hit Enter/Return to search