It was reported in Al-Arabia today (Saturday) that the Syrian rebels (SDF) began to openly and for the first time use attack drones called “Brosk” – this, without revealing where they came from. The report, the source of which is unclear, indicates that the Syrian Democratic Forces used the Tim in the battles of the “Tishrin Dam” on the Euphrates River in Syria – a place where the topography is challenging for fighting. It was also reported that the forces of the “Syrian National Army” – which is another militia supported by Turkey with fighter jets and drones, and fighting in the area against the SDF of Jolani.
However, in the same report it was stated that media outlets affiliated with the “Syrian National Army” confirmed that they are the ones in control of the “Tishrin Dam”. They stated that “military reinforcements arrive daily at the battle fronts, with the aim of continuing to advance until the removal of the SDF and the end of their presence in all Syrian lands.” On the other hand, the SDF confirmed in a statement from their media center that “the death toll of the armed groups in the area of the Tishrin Dam and Karakozak Dam rose to 72”, and emphasized that their forces were able to “stop all attacks in the Manbij countryside and prevent the factions from making any progress”.
In the international context, American-French attempts have been made to use the various parties to conduct a dialogue regarding the form of government in the northeastern regions of Syria, where the fighting is going on. Germany also joined the efforts, after the foreign minister Analana Barbuk arrived in Damascus. Behind the scenes there are interesting contacts: according to the reports, there were meetings between senior SDF officials, including apparently the general commander Mazloum Abdi, and the new Syrian leadership led by Ahmed al-Shara. The meetings, held in the presence of American and French representatives, revealed a significant disagreement: While the new leadership demands the full integration of the SDF into the new army, the Kurdish forces seek to maintain their relative independence until elections are held..
Also on the same subject, sources in the field reported to “Al-Arabiya” that “Washington has increased its military patrols in the cities of Kobani (Ain al-Arab) and Raqqa, amid reports of its preparation to establish points in both cities, after increasing the number of its forces in Syria from -900 soldiers for 2,000”. Sources in the field also stated to the newspaper that “the Americans offered both the SDF and Ankara the deployment of American forces in the two cities and defining them as demilitarized zones, while allowing the local authorities to manage the affairs of the residents, until a comprehensive agreement is reached.”
The sources see the American proposal as an excuse of “American fear of the outbreak of ISIS in eastern Syria in the event that Turkey and the new Syrian government attack the areas under the control of the SDF, which would open the way for the escape of thousands of ISIS members and their families.” At the same time, the sources state that “the current administration avoids any confrontation between the parties, and leaves the task of reaching an understanding between them to the new American administration.” In this context, Turkey recently stated that it has solutions for the period after the American withdrawal from Syria, including regarding the security of the camps and prisons where ISIS members and their families are held.