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Title: Islamic State attacks Syrian army and Kurds in new offensive
Source:
Reuters via YNet.com
URL Source: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4672646,00.html
Published: Jun 25, 2015
Author: Staff
Post Date: 2015-06-25 14:16:20 by redleghunter
Ping List: *Islamic caliphate expansion* Subscribe to *Islamic caliphate expansion*
Keywords: None
Views: 507
Comments: 5
Islamic State fighters launched simultaneous attacks against the Syrian army and Kurdish militia overnight, moving back on the offensive after losing ground in recent days to Kurdish-led forces in the Islamist group's stronghold of Raqqa province. In a separate offensive, rebel groups attacked Syrian government-held areas of Deraa in the south, one of the areas where insurgents have dealt President Bashar al-Assad's forces significant blows in recent months, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. The Observatory also reported a mass departure of civilians from the town of Al-Haskah as a result of the ISIS assult. According to the reports ISIS is making large gains in recapturing the town. Backed by US-led air strikes, the Kurdish YPG militia has driven deep into Raqqa province in the last two weeks, capturing key positions from the jihadists including Tel Abyad at the border with Turkey. In an apparent bid to seize back the initiative, Islamic State wrested positions from the Syrian army in an assault on the northeastern city of Hasaka, while also launching an attack on the Kurdish-held town of Kobani at the Turkish border, the Observatory said. Syrian state TV reported heavy clashes between Islamic State fighters and the Syrian army and allied militia in the al-Nashwa district of Hasaka, which is divided into separate zones of government and Kurdish control. The Islamic State offensive against Kobani, also known as Ayn al-Arab, started with a car bomb attack in an area near the border crossing with Turkey, the Observatory said. Islamic State fighters were battling Kurdish forces in the town itself. An official in the Kurdish YPG said Islamic State fighters were attacking the town from three sides. The Observatory said dozens of people were killed or wounded in the bombing and subsequent fighting. Kurdish forces, helped by US and allied air support, retook control of Kobani at the end of January after a four-month siege by Islamic State. In southern Syria, rebel groups attacked government-held areas of Deraa overnight, and heavy fighting and army air strikes were reported in the area, the Observatory said. Poster Comment: A confusing array of forces and alliances. What a mess. 
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#1. To: redleghunter, TooConservative, A Pole, Vicomte13 (#0)
The Kurds and Syrians are claiming that Turkey allowed the ISIL fighters to attack from the Turkish boder into Syria and that ISIL was using American allied "Free Syrian Army" flags to get by checkpoints at first. Turks deny this of course but no one believes them.
The YPG is quite the little militia. More excitement and interest than any other factions on any side. Of course, it is easy to be fans of peshmerga. There is much to admire, given the region they're in.
Not widely reported we were this involved in providing YPG airstrikes. Interesting as the YPG has dealings with the Assad government. Quite a mess of factions over there. I would not want to be the CENTCOM J2 (intelligence officer) right now:) Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. (Psalm 62:1-2)
If you were a Kurd, Assad will look like the Good Guy. ISIS and al-Nusra are the enemy along with many (not all) Sunni militias, none of whom like the Kurds. And the Turks have no love for the Kurds either. The Kurds know that Assad was inclusive toward Syrian Kurds throughout his reign. Far better than Kurds who live in Turkey, Iraq or Iran. Iraqi Kurds (Saddam's victims) have fared better over the last decade as we granted them virtual autonomy and they have made the most of it. In fact, they have been inclusive in taking in refugees, including Christians. This is very much along the lines of how Assad has run Syria and not too different from how Saddam ran Iraq. These dictators (including Mubarak and Khaddafi) threw people in wood chippers if they tried to start sectarian violence as the potential for civil war was always present.
I cannot shake the feeling that the Kurds are being used, and that in the end our ruling class will appease the perfidious Turks by knifing the Kurds in the back. I hope to be wrong, but I have no faith in our ruling class. Honor is an alien concept to them. I wish the Kurds all the best, the judgement of the troops who've been among them where the rubber hits the road is something I trust.
#2. To: redleghunter (#0)
Backed by US-led air strikes, the Kurdish YPG militia has driven deep into Raqqa province in the last two weeks, capturing key positions from the jihadists including Tel Abyad at the border with Turkey.
#3. To: TooConservative (#2)
#4. To: redleghunter (#3)
Interesting as the YPG has dealings with the Assad government.
#5. To: redleghunter (#3)
Not widely reported we were this involved in providing YPG airstrikes. Interesting as the YPG has dealings with the Assad government. Quite a mess of factions over there.
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