YPG/USA/SDF/FSA I.

This is coolbert:

From that latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter and in the apparent [?] defeat of the Islamic State and for your consideration. Consider the combat not over but only entering a new phase. Extracts mostly as copied in entirety.

1. "US and Syrian Kurds setting up 30,000-strong border force"

14 January.

"The first training class has begun for a new border force of 30,000 members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and its main component the Kurdish YPG militia, which is being established by the US-led coalition in Syria. This has fueled Turkey's anger over US support for the Syrian Kurds and prompted the summoning of the US charge d'affaires to the foreign office in Ankara last week."

2. "Fading Trump-Putin trust derails de-escalation zones on Syria's borders with Israel, Jordan"

16 January.

"Washington's decision to keep US bases in northern Syria, secured by a new 30,000-strong local force, drew a threat from Moscow. Col. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov, chairman of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee, said, 'Russia will work in cooperation with its partners [Iran] to take necessary procedures to establish stability in Syria.'"

"On the same day, a delegation of Syrian (FSA) rebel chiefs arrived in Washington to bid for the restoration of US aid, which was suspended seven months ago when Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin agreed in Munich to establish de-escalation zones in Syria"

"The FSA saw its chance for a comeback, reckoning that if Washington was willing to set up a new army in northern Syria, dominated by the Kurdish YPG militia, it would be equally amenable to reconstituting the FSA for operating on other fronts"

3. "US anti-air missiles for Kurds to meet Turkish, Syrian air threats"

16 January.

"The US is supplying N. Syrian Kurds with man-portable air defense weapons MANPADs [man-portable air defense] to counter Turkish war threats. Tensions around northern Syria hit a new high on Tuesday, Jan. 16, when Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan threatened his army would invade the Kurdish region of Afrin - and then Kurdish-held Manbij - both of which abut on the Turkish border."

4. "Tillerson: US troops will stay in Syria long after fight against ISIS"

19 January.

"US Secretary of state Rex Tillerson confirmed Wednesday that American troops would remain in Syria long after the complete defeat of ISIS 'to ensure that neither Iran nor Bashar Assad take over areas newly liberated with help from the United States.'"

More to follow!

coolbert.