Nervana

This Week in Egypt- Week 44-2019 ( Oct 28-Nov 3)

Posted on November 4, 2019 by nervana111

Apology for missing last week’s compilation, but I included some of the relevant tweets from last week in this edition

Top Headlines

Egypt’s Sinai Province swears allegiance to new Islamic State leader
Egypt’s FM heads to Washington for Ethiopian dam negotiations
Sisi: Companies owned by Egypt’s military must be allowed to sell shares on the stock exchange alongside other state companies
Egyptian, Jordanian, Pakistani special forces start joint drills in Pakistan
Egypt to try train conductor in death of youth

Main Headlines

Monday

Egypt welcomes death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr ‎ Al-Baghdadi
Egypt’s first smartphone maker to export to Germany next month
Egypt, Germany agree on need for solution to Libyan crisis, ahead of planned Berlin summit
Egypt’s non-petroleum exports increase by 3%
EgyptAir receives New airbus A220-300

Tuesday

‪Egyptian man dies after official ‘forced’ him off a moving train
Egyptian railways authority to train staff following vendor death after being forced off the train
Britain lifts advisory against flying to Egypt’s Sharm el Sheikh resort
Tutankhamun exhibition set to open in London

Wednesday

‪Egypt accepts invitation to meet in U.S. over Ethiopia dam dispute
Egyptian ticket collector is held after ordering men off moving train, one dead
Egypt to produce affordable elected mini-car
2% of Egypt’s state employees test positive for drugs for drugs

Thursday

Russia and Egypt join in air defense exercise Arrow of Friendship
Egypt’s Sisi hints at sale of stakes of military-run companies
Egypt’s economic growth is stable at 5.6%: minister
Egypt’s bourse gains EGP 3.8 billion amid purchases of foreign investment funds
Egypt to offer dollar-dominated bonds during coming period

Friday

A rare hurricane-like storm in the Mediterranean threatens Egypt and Israel
Egyptian, Jordanian, Pakistani special forces start joint drills in Pakistan
Egypt, Iraq, Jordan FMs Prepare for Baghdad Tripartite summit

Saturday

Egypt’s unemployment rate drops to lowest rate in 30 years
Egypt leads MENA in World Bank index for shareholders’ equity
Egypt’s Suez Canal records highest ever monthly revenues in October
Egypt’s military production authority, US Hyundai Technology Co. ink MoU on technology transfer

Sunday

Egypt’s Sinai Province swears allegiance to new Islamic State leader
Israeli and Egyptian partners take control of key gas pipeline
Egypt’s FM heads to Washington for Ethiopian dam negotiations
Egypt’s parliament to vote on three-month extension of state of emergency on Monday

Reports

Egypt’s options dwindle as Nile talks break down. Samy Magdy
Three years after flotation of EGP, the dollar expected to witness a downward spiral in 2020. Doaa Moneim
Sinai in a week. Mada Masr
Libyan parliamentarians meet in Cairo. Muhammed Magdy
Tutankhamun’s glitzy farewell tour a timely promotion for Egypt. Esther Addley
A Squash mystery in Egypt: Is there something in the Nile? David Segal

Good Read

NATO countries should help Egypt mitigate security challenge near Libyan border. Amal Kandeed

Sports

Squash: Egypt’s Nour El Sherbini retains World Championship title

From Twitter

Delighted.
This is my #Egypt open to all faiths without prejudice. https://t.co/vsoaXp2Gtq

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) November 1, 2019

Now, #IS branch in #Egypt’s #Sinai peninsula becomes the first to pledge allegiance to #ISIS’s new leader Abu Ibrahim al-Qurayshi. https://t.co/84lAxsivPs

— Mahmoud Gamal (@mahmouedgamal44) November 2, 2019

#Egypt & #UAE have concluded the 1st joint military training for army reconnaissance units “#Falcons of the Night" pic.twitter.com/3g0t7v1vkh

— Mahmoud Gamal (@mahmouedgamal44) November 2, 2019

Combined Air Defense units from Egypt & Russia will use the Russian mobile automated command & control system “Polyna-D4M1” during the joint military exercise Arrow of Friendship-1 https://t.co/XCTbhDxTXT pic.twitter.com/kAkPVtIgTp

— Mahmoud Gamal (@mahmouedgamal44) November 3, 2019

Photos from President Al-Sisi meeting with the @PMEthiopia Abiy Ahmed Today in #Sochi, #Russia

The #Egyptian Presdiency said that both sides have reached an agreement to resume the negotiations on the basics of operating the #Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. pic.twitter.com/vMoFwebsha

— Mahmoud Gamal (@mahmouedgamal44) October 24, 2019

I am not sure the word secular applies to the Egyptian regime since 1952. I know it is widely in use, and it largely depends on how we define secular, but there isn’t much secular about the regime besides the fact that they are not members of organized Islamist groups.

— Samuel Tadros (@Samueltadros) October 24, 2019

Religion & politics have never been separate in Egypt, under Kings or Presidents. Regime's use of religion, of religious institutions & in some cases its efforts to Islamize public square are not secular & certainly some of the leaders (Sadat) could hardly be described as secular

— Samuel Tadros (@Samueltadros) October 24, 2019

Argument that the MB was a latecomer to the revolution is now accepted wisdom, but it isn’t true. Unless we mean by this just one day, the 25th. And even then, Brotherhood youth were there. MB was instrumental to revolution success and defended it in street fights

— Samuel Tadros (@Samueltadros) October 24, 2019

I would argue that the MB would have been more willing to compromise on issues they didnt see as important were it not for the Salafi threat. Look at the constitution process for example or for reaction after they suggested Morsi could appoint a Christian Vice President

— Samuel Tadros (@Samueltadros) October 24, 2019

Now as to the current situation. The argument is framed with words like "might" & "suggest" but I am not sure that the Sisi regime is weakening as the authors argue. Less popular, certainly! But weaker ???? Are power dynamics changed? Has Sisi lost support of regime pillars?

— Samuel Tadros (@Samueltadros) October 24, 2019

In 2011, military, rightly or wrongly, did not feel it was the regime. It identified the regime with Gamal Mubarak, which they detested. Military role today is not the same. They simply cannot separate themselves from Sisi.

— Samuel Tadros (@Samueltadros) October 24, 2019

Now, Islamism will survive, I have no doubt. But MB is not Islamism. Nasser completely ended it. Only reason it emerged again, is because they came out of prisons and found an existing Islamist revival in universities. Had that not been there, MB death date would have been 1954

— Samuel Tadros (@Samueltadros) October 24, 2019

Oldest cities in the world.

1. Jericho, Palestinian Ter.
2. Byblos, Lebanon
3. Aleppo, Syria
4. Damascus, Syria
5. Susa, Iran
6. Faiyum, Egypt
7. Sidon, Lebanon
8. Plovdiv, Bulgaria
9. Gaziantep, Turkey
10. Beirut, Lebanon

(Telegraph)

Longer list: https://t.co/JgEVkGic4u

— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) November 2, 2019

After flirting with #Erdogan, #Putin is flirting with #Sisi.
Welcome to the Tsar of all Middle East leaders! https://t.co/MXtgQrRXwW

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 23, 2019

So proud👇👇 https://t.co/wAfdoyZw6o

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 20, 2019

Congratulations to Egypt’s World Squash Champion Nour El Shirbiny! This is her fourth World Championship win! Check out this New York Times article: “A Squash Mystery in Egypt: Is There Something in the Nile?” Read full article here: https://t.co/1ksLApjcwF pic.twitter.com/1TBfytiYla

— US Embassy Cairo (@USEmbassyCairo) November 3, 2019

.@KatyPerry looks absolutely stunning with a platinum ponytail, while enjoying her vacation in Egypt! ✨ pic.twitter.com/kYDof2gu7C

— Katy Perry Press (@katyperrypress) November 3, 2019

1 million tourists and others travel between Egypt 🇪🇬 and Israel 🇮🇱 every year through the Menachem Begin Crossing in Taba, near Eilat. No visas are required for Egyptians and Israelis visiting Sinai or Southern Israel. pic.twitter.com/Ha9JM0ICkr

— Avi Kaner (@AviKaner) November 3, 2019

Kitten and a boy on a boat, Aswan, Egypt.

Photographer: Mitsuaki Iwago #Catsoftwitter pic.twitter.com/LWtc3nJyRE

— Hany Ragy (@Hragy) November 2, 2019

Plus

‪Cairo ranks third in Lonely Planet’s “Top 10 Cities 2020” List
Katy Perry celebrates her 35th birthday with Orlando Bloom in Egypt
Cairo delights at sweet candies as Muslim festival nears

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt | Tagged Egypt, Ethiopia, ISIS, Sinai | Leave a comment

This Week in Egypt: Week 42- 2019 ( Oct 14-20)

Posted on October 20, 2019 by nervana111

Top Headlines

Egypt uncovers 30 sealed coffins, estimated to be 3,000 years old, with perfectly preserved mummies inside
UN human rights office urges Egypt to immediately release detained protestors
Shell Egypt to sell assets in Western Desert
Egypt’s largest metro Station in the Middle East to be inaugurated

coffins

Main Headlines

Monday

Hurghada-Sharm el-Sheikh ferry- line begins resuming operation
Court refers Libyan terrorist to Egypt’s Grand Mufti for involvement in Wahat clashes

Tuesday

Sisi blames Renaissance Dam crisis on January 25th uprising: Egypt bared its back and shoulder in 2011
Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak shares war memories in a rare appearance
Activist Israa Abd El Fattah reports torture in detention, faces smear campaign amid new arrests and disappearances
New IMF Chief hails Egypt’s economic reforms

Wednesday

African refugee women report surge of sex attacks in Egypt
Eni plans to increase Zohr gas field by up to 3bn cubic meters

Thursday

Cairo hosts a meeting for Libyan MP
Egyptian Christians celebrate at feast of Tabernacles in Israel

Friday

Palestinians sign agreements with Egypt in step towards financial freedom from Israel
UN human rights office urges Egypt to immediately release detained protestors
Images of Egyptian actor Mohamed Ramadan in cockpit gets pilot is banned for life
Egypt urges WB, IMF to support regional integrity in Africa

Saturday

Egypt signs agreement with Euroclear to widen its domestic debt investors
4 killed when shells hit 2 houses in Egypt’s North Sinai
French President Macron receives Egypt’s Coptic Pope Tawadros II at Elysee

Sunday

Egypt’s largest metro Station in the Middle East to be inaugurated
Shell Egypt to sell assets in Western Desert
Kuwaiti PM heads to Egypt on official visit
Thirty mummies in wooden coffins found in Egypt

Reports

Hot money flows into Egyptian debt. Heba Saleh
What’s behind Egypt meeting with Greece and Cyprus at this time?
The Story of the 18-Year Old boy stabbed For defending a girl from harassment. Egyptian Streets
Tensions rise between Ethiopia and Egypt over use of Nile river. Heba Saleh
Egypt steps up support for Syrian Kurds, increases political pressure on Turkey. Hassan Abdel Zaher

Reading Selection

‪The Egyptians the Western media ignore. Sohrab Ahmari
How far will Egypt go to defend Syria? Ahmed Gomaa

From Twitter

It is easy, and lazy , to lump all Arab protests in one basket.
Try to respect individuality, specific circumstances, and context of each country.#Lebanon is not Algeria, and both contextually different than #Egypt—- for example.
#LebanonProtests #لبنان_يثور #لبنان__ينتفض

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 20, 2019

The positive energy in #LebanonProtests is so uplifting and inspiring.
If #Egyptians want to learn something from #Lebanon, then try to love life despite all its ills, and maintain your sense of belonging, regardless who is in power. #لبنان_يثور #لبنان__ينتفض

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 20, 2019

30 mummies have been unearthed in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, in one of the largest discoveries in a century

The coffins are around 3,000 years old, and thought to belong to the families of high priests

[Tap to expand] https://t.co/D9R38FhsJF pic.twitter.com/zl3dMeZbDH

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) October 20, 2019

At least four civilians were killed and twelve others injured this evening when a missile fired from an unidentified source struck a house in the village of Abul Arag, which is located south of Sheikh Zuwayed, according to a medical source. pic.twitter.com/MY2bbqWrcd

— Mada Masr مدى مصر (@MadaMasr) October 19, 2019

Before that, #Egypt’s FM met with a number of ambassadors of countries that participate in the dam project, As he expressed to them his displeasure with the continued participation of their firms in a project that affects Egypt. pic.twitter.com/VdKvB7BTDL

— Mahmoud Gamal (@mahmouedgamal44) October 16, 2019

Footage of the New fortified hangars & Hardened aircraft shelters which were a part of the development plan of the Egyptian air force bases (photos via/ Egypt’s MoD) pic.twitter.com/hjCo5KGyBc

— Mahmoud Gamal (@mahmouedgamal44) October 14, 2019

Alaa Mubarak announced that his father will appear today at 8:30 pm to talk about his memories of the October 73 war. Doubtful any TV channel can host him, he’ll appear on YouTube. Timing of this appearance is interesting given the nostalgia that many feel towards Mubarak period https://t.co/6XTiwIIC3L

— The Big Pharaoh (@TheBigPharaoh) October 15, 2019

The same #Egyptians who are attracted to "sexy" Lebanese female protestors, had, and will, harass Egyptian girls protesting for Egypt; labelling them as loose girls who deserved to be harassed. Even during the peak of Tahrir, girls were harassed.#lebanonprotest

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 20, 2019

#Egypt is preparing an amended personal status law to curb the high divorce rate. One of the proposed amendments severely limits the possibility for women to obtain a divorce (which was already much harder than for a man to divorce) https://t.co/NYiGIYv85d

— Eduard Cousin (@EduardCousin) October 15, 2019

#Egypt’s Sisi greets #Tunisia for its elections, wishing @KaisSaiid success, while Pro-Saiid are chanting abuse against #Egypt. https://t.co/RKvMWbANyi

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 14, 2019

Bird watching in Fayoum #Egypt by Khaled Abouseif @rachidH pic.twitter.com/pplwmPMPrN

— Hany Ragy (@Hragy) October 15, 2019

Terrible news from Egypt: A convert to Christianity killed by his Muslim family.

It is rooted in the belief that #apostates from Islam deserve death.

It is un-Qur'anic barbarism that must be renounced by all sane Muslims.

Would we accept if converts to Islam were killed? https://t.co/MlnJbMlDJa

— Mustafa Akyol (@AkyolinEnglish) October 17, 2019

For the fisrt time since 2005, Nile water reaches Bir Al-Abd city in Northern Sinai through As-Salam canal to cultivate 400k feddans, part of which will be allocated to compensate farmers of Northern Sinai who were affected in the last 6yrs with counter-terror operations. pic.twitter.com/bEG2XXREGM

— Mahmoud Gamal (@mahmouedgamal44) October 18, 2019

France 🇫🇷 is proud to welcome His Holiness Tawadros, Pope of Egypt Coptic Church. https://t.co/YdcUeWCla9

— Stéphane Romatet (@SRomatet) October 19, 2019

Egypt, 1920. pic.twitter.com/pr7iaICvBh

— History Lovers Club (@historylvrsclub) October 20, 2019

Interview

‪Egypt: Jailed activist Ramy Shaath ‘is a prisoner of conscience’, wife tells France 24

Plus

Motorcycle rallies drive across Egypt and its coasts to promote tourism.

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt | Tagged Coffins, Egypt, Ethiopia, human-rights, Shell, Sinai, Sisi | Leave a comment

Turkey’s Syria offensive: Update-Day 10

Posted on October 18, 2019 by nervana111

The pause was so short as events continue to unfold in Syria. Here is a brief summery, including a crucial report by Amnesty on evidence of war crimes committed by the Turkish side.

Headlines

Amid scattered fighting, Turkey’s Erdogan threatens to restart Syria operation

Report

Damning evidence of war crimes and other violations by Turkish forces and their allies. Amnesty

Good Read

Wilayat Al-Hawl: Remaining and incubating the next Islamic State generation. Aaron Zelin

From Twitter

A woman in Al-Hol camp to @AFP:

'Now the Kurds are weak, we hope for the caliphate to be proclaimed again'#Syria #Turkey https://t.co/TdXfNAS6oU pic.twitter.com/cEOBXNwyZN

— AFP Beirut (@AFP_Beirut) October 18, 2019

#BREAKING Macron, Merkel, Johnson to meet Erdogan over Syria offensive: France pic.twitter.com/dgAqsTRKMs

— AFP news agency (@AFP) October 18, 2019

#BREAKING Turkish air strike kills five civilians in NE Syria: monitor @AFP

— Cesur Milusoy (@cesurmilusoy) October 18, 2019

Warning: Erdogan today says his "safe zone" as agreed with Trump stretches 450×32 kms, from the Euphrates to Iraq. This includes all majority Kurdish and Christian areas of Syria. Senior U.S. officials say it is far narrower. Listen to Erdogan, not Trump. https://t.co/dBWNbZ2F7l

— Brett McGurk (@brett_mcgurk) October 18, 2019

This is an obscene and ignorant statement. 200k innocent people displaced. Hundreds dead. Credible reports of war crimes. ISIS prisoners escaping. US evacuating and bombing its own positions or handing them to Russia. Two kids in a lot? https://t.co/rMJVcvOmFI

— Brett McGurk (@brett_mcgurk) October 18, 2019

General Mazloum is concerned about the cease-fire holding and was emphatic that he will never agree to the ethnic cleansing of Kurds that is being proposed in Ankara. (2/4)

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 18, 2019

I hope we can find a win-win situation, but I share General Mazloum’s concerns. I also told him that Congress will stay very involved and is extremely sympathetic to the plight of the Kurds. (4/4)

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 18, 2019

Since the U.S. announced its withdrawal from Syria:
– the Kurds have suffered loss of life and property
– Assad has consolidated his power
– Russia has assumed control of our previous military positions

The ‘ceasefire’ is far from a victory. pic.twitter.com/jjo7nLJSm0

— Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) October 18, 2019

So wrong. So sad. Kurds fought side by side with us against ISIS. They lost 11,000 fighters. They are not children. They do not deserve this ridicule. https://t.co/YU4wjgfrXZ

— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) October 18, 2019

#BREAKING A senior defense official says the US will continue to maintain ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) in NE #Syria that will be used to monitor #ISIS prisons.

— Carla Babb (@CarlaBabbVOA) October 18, 2019

Big news if true:

Unconfirmed information about Gen #Mazloum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the #SDF, is soon visiting the United States.

— Omar Abu Layla (@AliAlleile) October 18, 2019

Amazing byproduct of all this is that indeed the #SDF (and by Erdogans own assertion ppk ) are being legitimised by their participation in the process of diplomatic brinkmanship being played out

— Serge Kibalchich (@sergekibalchich) October 17, 2019

‘Military officials said they were stunned that the agreement essentially allowed Turkey to annex a portion of Syria, displace tens of thousands of Kurdish residents and wipe away years of counterterrorism gains against the Islamic State.’https://t.co/kCjm4VbkMg via @NYTimes

— Lindsey Hilsum (@lindseyhilsum) October 18, 2019

1/ #EXCLUSIVE The Syrian photographer/cameraman of a pro-Turkey Syrian group who recently filmed executions in NSyria, traveled in 2015 as a refugee to #Germany where he applied for asylum. He stayed near city of #Halle, in monastery "Kloster Helfta" in town Lutherstadt Eisleben. https://t.co/uXBs1WbJvV pic.twitter.com/WyZfZSoY1F

— Harald Doornbos (@HaraldDoornbos) October 18, 2019

Turkey must be held responsible for war crimes committed against Kurdish civilians. The use of white phosphorus is not only cruel but also strictly prohibited by international law. https://t.co/6eVf4Ne5nm

— Kati Piri (@KatiPiri) October 18, 2019

Breaking: @IlhanMN was one of the only Democrats who refused to support a bill condemning Turkey’s slaughter of the Kurdish people.

Just a reminder for @chrislhayes who said she was one of the “most consistent” when it comes to standing up for human rights in the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/ByrD787oF7

— The Reagan Battalion (@ReaganBattalion) October 17, 2019

Also, reporter claims nobody was allowed into Armenian church after YPG takeover of Tal Abyad (end 2015).

Again nonsense.

I was in it in 2017. Church key was in hand of Armenian caretaker. Armenians used church until last Wednesday, when they fled city due to war.

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) October 18, 2019

Reporter also says YPG built prisons in church compound. Wrong again!

These cells were built by ISIS, during ISIS rule of Tel Abyad. ISIS kept prisoners there. I've reported from there myself! ISIS trashed part of this church, used it as HQ and beheaded people in church yard.

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) October 18, 2019

The horrific reality is, most of Erdogan’s Syrian fans hate #Kurds and are cheering the potential genocide against them.
Why? They hate Kurdish non-Arabic identity.
Irony is, many Turks hate Syrian’s Arabic-non-Turkish idenity. #KurdsBetrayed https://t.co/RHw5Trjzwn

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 18, 2019

“We are not guilty of terrorism; we are victims of state terrorism. But we are guilty of defending our people”, said the PKK in its letter addressing to the American people and president.#KurdsBetrayed #TwitterKurds https://t.co/HPN6sWWe9Y

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 18, 2019

T#urkey's so-called "Safe Zone" will become a breeding ground and safe haven for terrorism and Jihadists. Erdogan will ethnic cleanse Kurds, resettle 3.6 million people. Turkish "Safe Zone" will become a major threat for especially Europe and the world. Don't let it happen.

— Yerevan Saeed (@YerevanSaeed) October 18, 2019

Nelson Mandela’s Message to #Kurds 1997

“We know what it means to have our nationality and culture insulted. This is what the government of Turkey is doing to the Kurds. I am part of the Kurdish struggle. They use the excuse of terrorism and state security to stop peace.” pic.twitter.com/zG0NhFcukW

— Diliman Abdulkader (@D_abdulkader) October 18, 2019

Posted in Middle East, Syria, Turkey | Tagged Erdogan, Kurds, SDF, Trump, TwitterKurds, YPG | Leave a comment

Turkey’s Syria Offensive: Day 9 -Oct 17-2019

Posted on October 17, 2019 by nervana111

For the last few days, I have chronicled the events in North Syria, following the Turkish invasion. As a ceasefire has been reached, I will pause this chronicle unless further developments happen.

Thanks everyone who read and supported my blog.

Headlines

Turkey agrees to pause attacks in northern Syria for five days
Turkish president Erdogan ‘threw Trump’s Syria letter in the bin”
US troops bombed their own anti-ISIS headquarters as Turkey-backed fighters closed in during Trump’s hasty retreat
Turkey on UK-led Nato exercise in Scotland amid Syria tensions

Pence Erdogan

Good Read

The hasty U.S. pullback from Syria is a searing moment in America’s withdrawal from the Middle East. Liz Sly

From Twitter

Great news out of Turkey. News Conference shortly with @VP and @SecPompeo. Thank you to @RTErdogan. Millions of lives will be saved!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2019

I just realized something. The ceasefire will last 120 hours = 5 days.

Erdogan will be meeting Putin in Sochi on October 22nd = 5 days from now.

Putin will decide which way it all goes… https://t.co/YZqyVcmILT

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) October 17, 2019

HIGHLIGHTS FROM GENERAL MAZLUM KOBANI’S INTERVIEW:

-There is a ceasefire agreement in the area between Ras al-Ain and Tal Abyad
– We will do everything necessary to make the ceasefire a success

+

— Burak Aydin (@burakaydin_21) October 17, 2019

– This agreement is tentative and will ensure a halt to the Turkish occupation of the region
– Kurdish political parties must resolve the disputes between them at this time"#SDF #Kurds #Syria #Turkey

— Burak Aydin (@burakaydin_21) October 17, 2019

Elephant in room: Russia / Putin. With major influence in Syria he can either sink Trump-Erdogan deal or give it some life.

Russian delegation already in Turkey. Remains to be seen how Assad and YPG respond.

For now this is a stop gap measure for military op. for 5 days..

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) October 17, 2019

So, angry at Turkey's military operation, Pence went to Ankara to help Turkey secure gains it hadn't yet made on the battlefield in return for the US lifting sanctions? https://t.co/9uOyZJ8xna

— Nicholas Danforth (@NicholasDanfort) October 17, 2019

I stand ready to continue working with the President to build upon this breakthrough.

And I also stand ready to work in a bipartisan fashion to ensure this incursion by Turkey into northeastern Syria ends without further strategic damage to the United States.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 17, 2019

The Cease-fire deal is exactly what #Turkey wanted and will mean the Kurdish cities will fall in the so-called safe zone. The US administration should work towards a deal which is a real compromise and protects their #Kurdish allies not for complete surrender of their areas.

— Dr. Mahmoud Othman (@Drmahmoudothman) October 17, 2019

And the Kurds will happily evaporate… ever … after..#wishfulthinking https://t.co/TshRqRxcUK

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 17, 2019

#Turkey President's office confirms to @bbcturkce that when President #Erdogan received #Trump's letter, he "thoroughly rejected it, threw it in the bin" and launched the #Syria operation the same day. His mind was already made up to move in; letter was reportedly the final straw pic.twitter.com/pHaiyF5skG

— Mark Lowen (@marklowen) October 17, 2019

#UPDATE Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Thursday his forces will counter Turkey's invasion by "all legitimate means", in his first remarks since deploying troops near the border to support Ankara's Kurdish rivals https://t.co/VOK29RUWLj #Assad

— AFP news agency (@AFP) October 17, 2019

Turkish backed Jihadists help transport the escaped ISIS prisoners and their families in NE-Syria. Note the guy behind him in ISIS uniform. #StandWithTheKurds #BoycottTurkey pic.twitter.com/8M1lNyDuJK

— VdC-NsY شمال سوريا (@vdcnsy) October 16, 2019

Aris makes an important point. In this war, we can expect each side to call themselves the good guy & their enemy, the bad guy. But what do victims of the conflict who are of neither group say? Ask the Yazidis. They will overwhelmingly tell you it was the YPG/PKK who saved them https://t.co/2cFwxqAOqs

— Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) October 16, 2019

Gotta love @SpeakerPelosi. #Tump said he brought the troops from #Syria home. Pelosi:"is Saudi Arabia home?". Trump:"well the #SaudiArabians are paying for it." Translation:#Kurds are poor, Saudis have cash. #Arsenal for Democracy? Hell no,arsenal for cash.https://t.co/8vTsIpdrMr

— Hisham Melhem (@hisham_melhem) October 17, 2019

He underlined that the intervention is purely military and the regime won’t interfere in their local self-administration and people's affairs at all (2)

The statement comes after fears among parts of Raqqa population for GoS return. pic.twitter.com/RuhjYyKNbS

— Wladimir (@vvanwilgenburg) October 17, 2019

We urge international organizations to send their teams to investigate some wounds sustained in attacks. The medical facilities in NE Syria lack expert teams following withdrawal of NGO’s due to Turkish invasion attacks. 2/2

— Mustafa Bali (@mustefabali) October 16, 2019

#BREAKING Heath commission in NE #Syria, states 218 civilians killed among them 18 children, 653 wounded among them 35 children. In addition to 5 medical workers killed and 6 kidnapped since Turkish aggression against NE #Syria. pic.twitter.com/IKetcHZuVK

— Shino Can (@sincan2023) October 17, 2019

Our @K24English @redwanbezar interviewed a SAA commander yest before they entered Kobani.

1st Lieutenant Hosam told k24 that they are here "to defend our lands from Turkey’s occupation. We are here to protect civilians, especially women and children, from the Turkish criminals" pic.twitter.com/eIzh2movuM

— Wladimir (@vvanwilgenburg) October 17, 2019

Only to allow Assad to recapture the city with utmost ease. #KurdsBetrayedByTrump https://t.co/cVyDjDeUtv

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 17, 2019

The operation has left over 200,000 people displaced from their homes. Civilians have been killed and wounded in the crossfire. And the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are now retaking territory. pic.twitter.com/kekjm1RkjT

— Haley Willis (@heytherehaIey) October 16, 2019

North Syria in one photo.

Pic by @Delilsouleman. pic.twitter.com/r2WBd3x7ZT

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) October 17, 2019

Posted in Middle East, Syria, Turkey | Tagged #Syria, Erdogan, Kurds, Pence, SDF, Trump, TwitterKurds, YPG | Leave a comment

Turkey’s Syria offensive Day 8 -Oct 16-2019

Posted on October 16, 2019 by nervana111

Headlines

Turkey’s President Erdogan has rejected U.S. demands to cease fire in Syria
Turkey Advances on Kobani in latest broken promise
Turkey-Kurd conflict ‘has nothing to do with us,’ Trump says
Turkey may be ‘responsible’ for executions of Kurds in Syria:UN
Turkey holding 50 US nuclear bombs ‘hostage’ at air base, reports says
Dozens of Israel’s IDF reservists have called on Israel to provide military and humanitarian support to the Kurds in Syria

Report

‪The Syrian Democratic Forces have recaptured some territory from Turkish-backed forces. Lara Seligman

Good Read

Europe can’t keep shutting its eyes to the disaster in Syria. Natalie Nougayrède

From Twitter

Situation only getting messier as US admin intervenes belatedly to get a ceasefire but efforts already rejected by Turkey.

Trump taking sanctions path, but with Assad heading up North to border, it's becoming much harder to envision how Erdogan can establish a 30Km SZ,or even 15

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) October 16, 2019

UPDATE: US – #Turkey – #Syria

• 354 House members vote against Trump & Turkey plans
• Schumer: Senate will pass
• Cheney introduces Sanctions Bill goes after arms sales to 🇹🇷
• Pence & Pompeo ✈️ to TK
• Trump claims Kurdish PKK is > threat than ISIS https://t.co/AZi7w2uAY4

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) October 16, 2019

"Don't be a tough guy. Don't be a fool!" U.S. President Donald Trump urges Erdoğan in a letter informing the Turkish president that SDF leader Mazloum Kobane is "willing to negotiate".

via @trish_regan pic.twitter.com/Hoe64bprDt

— Ahval (@ahval_en) October 16, 2019

📌20:30 Trump’s UN ambassador calls on Turkey to end offensive

📌20:35 Turkey to face ‘devastating’ sanctions if Pence, Erdoğan meeting unsuccessful

📌20:45 US House Foreign Affairs Committee approves legislation for Turkey sanctions

Live Blog | Ahval https://t.co/U7FIIUgxjC

— Ahval (@ahval_en) October 16, 2019

Spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister @MevlutCavusoglu yesterday, urging Turkey to halt its military operation and return to a dialogue with the U.S. on security in Northeast Syria.

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) October 16, 2019

Speaker Nancy Pelosi after meeting with Pres. Trump at the White House: "What we witnessed on the part of the president was a meltdown, sad to say." https://t.co/20NWyqSGql pic.twitter.com/Ru7kidGLgm

— ABC News (@ABC) October 16, 2019

To grasp the extent of the crimes the Arab militias fighting for Turkey are carrying out in Syria, read the autopsy of the Kurdish politician executed a few days ago. Her legs & jaw were broken, she was dragged by her hair until the skin of her scalp came out & repeatedly shot: pic.twitter.com/LOnJHhxo4W

— Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) October 16, 2019

Trump spouting nonsense: "The Kurds are safer right now… they are not angels, they are not angels." Then says they aren't really good fighters without our help.

— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) October 16, 2019

At President @realDonaldTrump’s direction, tomorrow I will lead a delegation with @SecPompeo, NSA Robert O'Brien & Amb. James Jeffrey to call on Turkey to stop the invasion, enact an immediate ceasefire & begin negotiations to restore peace and stability to the region. pic.twitter.com/UanvagFxk8

— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) October 15, 2019

#BREAKING Turkish presidency says Erdogan will meet Pence after all pic.twitter.com/lNRvg4Y5vh

— AFP news agency (@AFP) October 16, 2019

Erdogan in a nutshell:
No..noo… noooo…..Yes .. https://t.co/xV8PhsayvA

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 16, 2019

#BREAKING Two Belgian jihadists escape Syrian jail: officials pic.twitter.com/xRJEgLnRiS

— AFP news agency (@AFP) October 16, 2019

The flag of 🇺🇸 has been removed in Manbij and replaced with 🇷🇺. A very symbolic photo of Trumps presidency… https://t.co/pA355wCGor

— jack_ryan (@terror_studies) October 15, 2019

SDF say 18 of their fighters were killed in heavy clashes in Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) today.

— Joanne Stocker جوآن (@joanne_stocker) October 16, 2019

If needed, we take on the entire world to protect the dignity of Ummah (Muslim world) and Turkish nation, the martyrs' hill will never be left alone, we'll continue our struggle for God, truth, nation, to our last breath, words from #Erdogan today in Parliament #CaliphWannaBe pic.twitter.com/C75uCThwoL

— Abdullah Bozkurt (@abdbozkurt) October 16, 2019

#YPG #PKK released and funded #ISIS terrorists to attack #Turkey, claims Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in his Parliamentary speech today.

Given his track record of lies, this minister does not have much credibility. pic.twitter.com/IFoI7S6uOA

— Abdullah Bozkurt (@abdbozkurt) October 16, 2019

"#Erdoğan is probably thinking now that the cost of consolidating his power at home through a cross-border operation has been extremely high. He must be regretting his miscalculations, as we speak.” My comments in @LaurieMylroie's @K24English piece:https://t.co/lVbx0BBwKZ

— Aykan Erdemir (@aykan_erdemir) October 16, 2019

If Turkey continues to move and take Kurdish areas around Kobani, I will take this as a breach of President Erdogan’s promise and a major escalation.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 15, 2019

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dismissed US calls for a ceasefire in northern Syria and said that he's not worried about American-imposed sanctions https://t.co/bueE4sXTwC

— CNN (@CNN) October 16, 2019

Fighter "We're protecting our country. No can enter our soil. Our call is for our Kurds to take action against gangs + make the statement. Let everyone stands up against occupiers, Erdogan's bloodthirsty gangs. He's humanity's enemy & protecting ISIS" (2)pic.twitter.com/9vrwHq0j36

— Wladimir (@vvanwilgenburg) October 16, 2019

Brazilian photographer @gabriel_chaim is one of the bravest journalists I know. While most of the rest of us dipped in and out of Syria on trips ranging of a few weeks, he embedded with the YPG for months at a time. His access is like no other: https://t.co/zu26UEINu5

— Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) October 16, 2019

Our Kurdish allies have been instrumental in the fight against ISIS. That is why I joined my colleagues in supporting legislation which imposes crippling sanctions on Turkey that will not be lifted until they have withdrawn their military presence from Syria.

— Congressman Ben Cline (@RepBenCline) October 15, 2019

#BREAKING Turkish army bombing both Qasir Diyab and Ghardamyah villages some 15 Km NE Derik city of NE #Syria. 5 huge explosions were heard.

— Shino Can (@sincan2023) October 16, 2019

Soldiers belonging to the Sultan Murad division, an armed rebel group in #Syria, backed by #Turkey complain that everyone has withdrawn, warning that they will too in Sari Kani. pic.twitter.com/nCRR6zxRN2

— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) October 16, 2019

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Threatens to Open Border to Europe, Send 3.6 Million Refugees If EU Considers Turkish Activity in Northern Syria to Be an Occupation pic.twitter.com/SiAeeBZIfO

— MEMRI (@MEMRIReports) October 16, 2019

“[Turkish-backed militiamen] called me when they captured my daughter, they were shouting in Arabic & they didn’t answer me, I said to myself that Havrin must be in the hands of the enemy now … I don't even know who the enemy is.” pic.twitter.com/vLt8TZQgCX

— Samira Ghaderi (@Samira_Ghaderi) October 15, 2019

BREAKING: U.S. will continue arms sales to Turkey — State Department crafting waivers, per senior DOD officialhttps://t.co/zAgQlDoX9a

— Tony Bertuca (@TonyBertuca) October 15, 2019

Today the SDNY reminds us that problems with Turkey long predate anything having to do with Syria, charging state-owned “Halk Bank” in multi-billion dollar Iran sanctions busting scheme in which “high-ranking Turkish officials” profited. https://t.co/USeSjE1yKL

— Brett McGurk (@brett_mcgurk) October 15, 2019

2. Thinking that if Turkey is able to “explain” its message is a failure of public diilomacy. You first have to have a sellable message. There is only so much you can do with image of radical elements decapitating women (ref: @kinikli88_ENG)

— Sinan Ciddi (@SinanCiddi) October 15, 2019

4. TR will be unable to satisfy the int community of the legitimacy of its actions for decades to come, much like its unrelenting position following the Cyprus intervention in 1974, which initially was justifiable and satisfied immediacy parameters

— Sinan Ciddi (@SinanCiddi) October 15, 2019

6. TR played a front and center role in creating Iraqi Kurdistan. Hot pursuits, bombing of Iraqi targets, playing one Kurdish leader off another has yielded no gains for TR except drive nationalist sentiment, drive up the death toll & reinforce the view that “Turkey has no friend

— Sinan Ciddi (@SinanCiddi) October 15, 2019

7. All those who try to contextualize what the int community has dubbed an invasion know that they are simply wrong. TR through this action is being marginalized and transformed into a regional pariah that satisfies one maxim: “might is right”.

— Sinan Ciddi (@SinanCiddi) October 15, 2019

The time tested mantra still holds: war is not the answer. There are numerous other options to realize TR’s security concerns which all know have not been considered-why an insistence on war?

— Sinan Ciddi (@SinanCiddi) October 15, 2019

A question any rational moderator would ask but these won’t:

Obama policies in Syria resulted in 600k dead and 10M displaced and a belligerent unleashed Iran and Russia, if you are critical of President Trump’s Syria policy, what would you do different from Obama AND Trump?

— M. Zuhdi Jasser زهدي جاسر (@DrZuhdiJasser) October 16, 2019

#BREAKING: Three days ago, #Turkish Air Force bombed a civilian convoy & killed several journalists in Ras al-Ayn during #OperationPeaceSpring/ #BarisPinari. Here is the video of the moment, bomb hit & killed 19 people!pic.twitter.com/bOgN42LGHg

— Babak Taghvaee (@BabakTaghvaee) October 16, 2019

#BREAKING: First video showing how #Turkish backed militias are giving shelter to the #ISIL members & their family members who defected from the Ain Issa prison camp yesterday. Video is released by #SNA today!#OperationPeaceSpring/#BarisPinari pic.twitter.com/wgevbVKGyj

— Babak Taghvaee (@BabakTaghvaee) October 16, 2019

#BREAKING: Video shows members of 112nd Division of #Turkey's #SNA (mostly ex-#AlQaeda) being confronted by #SDF in Ain Issa's outskirt an hour ago. They are doing their best to reach Ayn Issa prison camp & release remaining #ISIL prisoners kept there. #OperationPeaceSpring pic.twitter.com/QVvtKzlK6v

— Babak Taghvaee (@BabakTaghvaee) October 16, 2019

Turkey commits war crimes against Kurds in Syria.

Turkey moves closer to Russia politically & militarily.

Turkey tries to intimidate US troops.

Turkey state-owned bank accused of Iran sanctions-busting.

Turkey violates Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus.

A reliable ally? pic.twitter.com/MBzLYyJABe

— David Harris (@DavidHarrisAJC) October 16, 2019

#BREAKING: It is reported that the #Syria Arab Army is now engaged in battle against #Turkish Army & its militias from #SNA in the outskirt of #Raqqa. #Russia Air Force might provide air support for #SAA & bomb the #SNA militias! pic.twitter.com/sb2J9oMY6B

— Babak Taghvaee (@BabakTaghvaee) October 16, 2019

Sorry folks,didn't have access to internet[cause of electricity cuts].
I've received a video(graphic)showing a Turkish soldier beheading a captured Kurdish fighter in NE-Syria while 7 jihadists repeatedly shouting "Allahu Akbar". This must stop.
This is on you @realDonaldTrump.

— Raman Ghavami (@Raman_Ghavami) October 16, 2019

The video that #shattered my #heart 💔today in #Qamishli city, these #mothers say that #children have become #orphans.#NorthSyria #War #Syria #Turkey #Humanity #Casualties #UN #NE #DonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/kumTCMHniL

— Baderkhan Ahmad (@baderkhanahmad) October 16, 2019

There was no ridiculous plans by #SDF to invade #Turkey, nor was such hallucination even heard before. Most of their forces were deployed southbound. The US security plan was precisely to stop any PKK attempt to cross into Turkey. The Ikhwan lobby in DC is spreading #fakefacts.

— Walid Phares (@WalidPhares) October 16, 2019

Two male foreign terrorist fighters from #Belgium escaped from #SDF prison in #Syria, security official has just admitted in parliamentary commission

— Guy Van Vlierden (@GuyVanVlierden) October 16, 2019

#Turkey’s backed militia commander recites a verse of the Quran:
“kill them ( infidels) wherever you find them”

Welcome to #Erdogan’s holy war!#KurdsBetrayed https://t.co/pTVBEA8MoR

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 16, 2019

#BREAKING: The Chaos in NE #Syria provides best opportunity for #Israel Air Force to secretly carry-out airstrikes against #IRGC related targets in #Syria. Last night, #Israel Air Force bombed a camp in use by #IRGC-QF proxies in Abu Kamal near the border with #Iraq. pic.twitter.com/ESXv4tIMuU

— Babak Taghvaee (@BabakTaghvaee) October 16, 2019

General Mazlum Kobani in SreeKaniye front lines. #TwitterKurds pic.twitter.com/EaiKIGvqcM

— Avashin (@Avashin) October 15, 2019

Those who defend #Erdogan and his #Islamist thugs have blood on their hand.
Shame on every DC pundits sided by Turkey.
Shame on @RandPaul
Shame on Qatar and every country backing Turkey.#TwitterKurds pic.twitter.com/fUk6rLQY1h

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 16, 2019

Dear @realDonaldTrump:
•Kurds didn’t commit 9/11; Islamists did
•Kurds never killed Americans; Turkey-backed Islamists did
•Kurds never attacked Turkey since 2011 & their alliance with US forces
Kurds are not worse than #ISIS, so do not some in DC misinform you#TwitterKurds

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 16, 2019

Posted in Syria, Turkey | Tagged #Syria, Erdogan, ISIS, Kurds, Pense, PKK, Trump | Leave a comment

Turkey’s Syria Offensive: Day 7 (Oct 15-2019)

Posted on October 15, 2019 by nervana111

Headlines

Russia vows to prevent clashes with Assad forces
French PM says resurgence of Islamic State is inevitable due to Turkish offensive
Turkey rejects Syria ceasefire because ‘you cannot negotiate with terrorists’
Russia says: ‘unacceptable’ Turkish incursion into Syria must be temporary

Good Read

Money, hatred for the Kurds drives Turkey’s Syrian fighters. Sarah El-Deeb and Joseph Krauss
Russian shadow falls over Syria as Kurds open door for Assad.Martin Chulov
Some of the most noble peopleI’d ever met.’ Lara Seligman
Erdoğan’s calamitous Syrian blunder has finally broken his spell over Turkey. Simon Tisdal

From Twitter

….and Assad to protect the land of our enemy? Anyone who wants to assist Syria in protecting the Kurds is good with me, whether it is Russia, China, or Napoleon Bonaparte. I hope they all do great, we are 7,000 miles away!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2019

.@realDonaldTrump’s newly-announced sanctions against Turkey fall very short of reversing the humanitarian disaster brought about by his own erratic decision-making. https://t.co/MMvt0S9Tl6

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) October 15, 2019

#BREAKING: U.S. Secretary of Defense on northern #Syria, “Turkey’s unilateral action was unnecessary and impulsive. President Erdogan bears full responsibility for its consequences, to include a potential ISIS resurgence, possible war crimes, and a growing humanitarian crisis.” pic.twitter.com/9Gyig9mGL9

— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) October 15, 2019

#BREAKING Turkish presidency slams 'dirty deal' between Syria's Assad and Kurdish forces pic.twitter.com/VSEB6iKfh0

— AFP news agency (@AFP) October 15, 2019

Thousands of pro-Kurdish protesters across the world came out on the streets this weekend to condemn Turkey's offensive in Syria. pic.twitter.com/aM8eLWKDpR

— DW News (@dwnews) October 15, 2019

Syrian Democratic Forces #SDF foil an infiltrating operation by Turkey-backed armed militias into the Global Coalition's main base in Kharab Eshk, west of Ein Issa
SDF destroyed two armored vehicles were used by the infiltrating militants#NPA
#Syria #SDF #YPG #US pic.twitter.com/tznR6fxdpR

— NORTH PRESS AGENCY (@NPA_SY) October 15, 2019

https://twitter.com/narinistan/status/1184125121776115713?s=21

#BREAKING Foreign aid in NE Syria fully halted: Kurdish statement pic.twitter.com/zFb3RmZB4c

— AFP news agency (@AFP) October 15, 2019

2/ "Memorandum of Understanding

On 13/10/2019, a meeting took place between representatives of the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, and this is what was agreed upon:"@akhbar

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) October 15, 2019

4/ "SAA forces will be moving into SDF territory using three axis:

1/ From Tabqa in northern direction towards Ayn Issa and its countryside. Also in northern direction towards Syrian Turkish border at Tell Abyad and towards the west."@akhbar pic.twitter.com/Z1LDBRw1ka

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) October 15, 2019

6/ "Third axis from Hasakah/Tall Tamr, arriving in Ras al Ayn and towards the east arriving in Qamishli and then Al Malikiyah and towards the south."@akhbar pic.twitter.com/2pEQTzQXYr

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) October 15, 2019

8/ "By that, the SAA will be present in the entire region east and north of the Euphrates and in coordination with local military councils, while area between Ras al Ayn and Tell Abyad stays as an unstable combat zone until it is liberated."@akhbar pic.twitter.com/C7vKppGO4l

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) October 15, 2019

10/ This was the full text of the deal between SDF and Syrian government, translated from Arabic into English by me.

Thank you for attention.@akhbar

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) October 15, 2019

The U.S. military has sent F-15 fighter jets and Apache gunships in a"show of force" to disburse Turkish-backed forces who came "very close" to U.S. troops west of Ain Issa, Syria, Fox News reported citing a U.S. official.https://t.co/1MpecMra1U

— Ahval (@ahval_en) October 15, 2019

Trump-Erdogan phone call:

2/ “We do not talk with terrorist organisations, I told him,” Erdoğan said about the U.S. proposal for ceasefire.

— Ahval (@ahval_en) October 15, 2019

Note to all journalists. There is no change in security and administrative structure of Fish Khaboor/Sêmalka border crossing. SDF continues to provide security to foreign journalists visiting NE Syria. pic.twitter.com/nn1lF7s5eh

— Mustafa Bali (@mustefabali) October 15, 2019

Good morning.
-The Kurdish Red Crescent has recorded 42 civilian deaths and 146 injuries since October 9
-International NGOs pulled staff from NE Syria
-The Kobani hospital is out of service
-There is a water crisis in Hasakah after Turkey bombed the Alok water station

— Joanne Stocker جوآن (@joanne_stocker) October 15, 2019

6 days of Turkish military campaign:
– 70,000 children uprooted from their homes
– 160,000 people forced to flee
– 450,000 at immediate risk
– 0 mediation efforts from US/NATO/UK/EU between allies at war. pic.twitter.com/JXLzgHdxjk

— Jan Egeland (@NRC_Egeland) October 15, 2019

MSF are evacuating all staff and suspending the majority of their operations in northeast #Syria due to extreme volatility in the region.https://t.co/7mRjKQ3Mlw

— Sara Firth (@Sara__Firth) October 15, 2019

The US withdrawal from Syria and the Turkish offensive have once again demonstrated Europe’s geopolitical weakness. It are now turkey and Russia who decide on our safety. Europe must take its destiny into its own hands by building a real Defense Union. https://t.co/0OOXzFO8uI

— Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) October 14, 2019

1- Refused US to use Incirlik air base & its land for Iraq war, and for anti-ISIS war.
2- Allowed foreign ISIS fighters to cross its border to Syria, according to US officials.

— Namo Abdulla (@namo_abdulla) October 14, 2019

5- Erdogan is a friend of Maduro Regime in Venezuela.
6- Erdogan was a friend of Omer Bashir of Sudan.
7- Purchased most advanced Russian S-400 missiles

— Namo Abdulla (@namo_abdulla) October 14, 2019

8- Detained US and EU citizens and used them as bargaining chips
9- Turkey is the largest prison for journalists, according CPJ.
10- Turkey has detained hundreds of political prisoners.

— Namo Abdulla (@namo_abdulla) October 14, 2019

President #Trump told General Mazloum Kobane jokingly "next to me there are people who love you more than their homeland"
Trump was referring to members of his administration who opposed his decision to withdraw from #Syria.
#SDF #KurdsBetrayed #US #Turkey #سوريا #تركيا #كوباني

— Baraa Sabri (@BARAASABRY1) October 15, 2019

It keeps on getting more remarkable…

A Russian journalist posts a video of himself standing inside a military base in Manbij, N-Syria, recently abandoned by the U.S. army.@akhbar pic.twitter.com/bjhfNG1PfC

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) October 15, 2019

Mistake du jour: sending the VP to Turkey. Suggests the Admin still thinks it can entice Ankara to stop. A further degradation of America's waning stature. Further undercuts his lead diplomat who should be the only one going, if anyone. https://t.co/DC0WEQVi5B

— Robert Danin (@robertdanin) October 15, 2019

Hatim Abu Shaqra is among murderers of 9 civilians executed on M4 highway including politician #HavrinKhalaf. A former al-Qaida affiliated jihadist, now within ranks of Turkish-backed so-called National Army which Turkey claims will bring peace and stability to the region. pic.twitter.com/3owXCUnTZO

— Mustafa Bali (@mustefabali) October 15, 2019

While Turkish forces were able to progress rapidly in the country it appears Ras al-Ain was never fully captured and the SDF was able to recapture at least parts of it https://t.co/eml2vUFYJD

— Michael A. Horowitz (@michaelh992) October 15, 2019

Ein Issa camp is out of control, ISIS families are burning the tents and trying to flee towards Turkish army .#SDF #Turkye pic.twitter.com/R41RzdHQhQ

— Mahmoud Bali (@bali_mahmoud) October 15, 2019

#BREAKING #SDF fully recaptures Sere Kaniye city, as several #Turkey-led Islamist groups retreat into Turkey and call for more reinforcements from Aleppo and Idleb.

— Shino Can (@sincan2023) October 14, 2019

Today we’ve met exhausted Syrian Kurds who were smuggled into Iraq as violence worsened this week. Scared & uncertain, they were emotionally spent and had no idea what their future held. Holding her young daughter, one woman, Sawa, had a message for Trump. “We trusted you.”

— Louisa Loveluck (@leloveluck) October 15, 2019

If the Turkish army can’t take Sere Kaniye to colonize and ethically cleanse it, then it must destroy it to ensure than no Kurdish population lives next to the Turkish border. This, still, constitutes demographics engineering and is a war crime. https://t.co/5cVxKk0I7E

— Fouâd Oveisy (@consul_general) October 15, 2019

#BREAKING: According to an ex-pilot of 181 Filo, F-16C/Ds of #Turkish Air Force's 8th MJBC at #Diyarbakir has been unable to carry-out a single strike mission against #SDF & #SAA since 20 hours ago because the airspace over NE #Syria has been blocked on them by #Russia Air Force! pic.twitter.com/2imhz7Pedl

— Babak Taghvaee (@BabakTaghvaee) October 15, 2019

Turkey responded to sanctions as expected with defiance .Only a tornado shaking the country can land its leaadership to reality of their isolation .
Half measures will not work…. #Trump2020 @SecPompeo https://t.co/C52SReW8TN

— East Med Monitor (@EastMedMonitor) October 15, 2019

I disagree, Soner. They offloaded this to the TSO. And they have no restraint. And because of that TR is now liable for the war crimes its proxies have committed. A professional ground force would have been better for that. But increased risks to Turkey

— Aaron Stein (@aaronstein1) October 15, 2019

Romantisizing Erdogan is a mistake:

Did Erdogan only go after Gulenists?

No, he used the coup to go after all rivals & the press.

Is Erdogan only going after the YPG?

No, his JN affiliated proxies – coopting the FSA(??) – see no diff between the YPG, SDF, & civilians.

— Michael P Pregent (@MPPregent) October 15, 2019

The former People’s Democratic Party (HDP) MP for Urfa is charged with “insulting the Turkish state” after he spoke at Sunday’s 20,000 strong demonstration.

— Steve Sweeney (@SweeneySteve) October 15, 2019

He continued: “Now we all have to crush fascism together. Now we all have to stop the massacre in Rojava. If we don't do this now, history will repeat itself, like the Armenian genocide in 1915.

— Steve Sweeney (@SweeneySteve) October 15, 2019

Posted in Syria, Turkey | Tagged #Syria, Erdogan, ISIS, Russia, Turkey | Leave a comment

Turkey’s Syria Offensive: Day 6-Oct 14-2019

Posted on October 14, 2019 by nervana111

Headlines

Guardian’s today Timeline
Syrian troops enter towns in northeast as Erdogan warns of wider offensive
Trump to impose sanctions on Turkey on Turkey
NATO’s Stoltenberg defends stance on Turkey’s offensive in Syria
EU condemns Turkey over Syria, but no formal arms ban

Reports

The Kurds’ commander in chief explains why his forces are finally ready to partner with Assad and Putin.

Good Read

‪Domestic politics, Idlib sway timing of Turkey’s Syrian operation. ‪KadriGursel
After Syria incursion, White House mulls sanctions on Erdogan. Amberin Zaman
Northeastern Syrians await their fate. Elizabeth Tsurkov
Turkish-backed forces are freeing Islamic State prisoners. Lara Seligman

From Twitter

Statement from President Donald J. Trump Regarding Turkey’s Actions in Northeast Syria pic.twitter.com/ZCQC7nzmME

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2019

This destabilizing operation by Turkey continues, and has now created a growing and disastrous humanitarian crisis. We remain committed to a political solution to the conflict in Syria in line with UNSCR 2254. Turkey’s unilateral actions led to these sanctions. pic.twitter.com/5qWvjyLPYD

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) October 14, 2019

.@VP says @realDonaldTrump spoke with G Mazlum Kobani & after talked to Erdogan & got "did receive a commitment from Turkish President Erdogan to NOT attack the city of Kobani. Gen Mazlum had raised the issue of Kobani as a paramount importance to the #Kurdish population" pic.twitter.com/fRz4QFDo9X

— Wladimir (@vvanwilgenburg) October 14, 2019

If Erdogan has promised not to attack the Kobani, that is major. First step toward a ceasefire. Kobani is a strategic border town in northeast Syria – under control of YPG/SDF since 2012

— Lara Seligman (@laraseligman) October 14, 2019

Interesting about Trump statement:

• Sanctions not imposed yet; second warning to Turkey after Mnuchin’s
• Largely economic and trade related
• Focus on hurting ISIS fight
• US staying in Tanf Base: perceived as counter to Iran

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) October 14, 2019

NEW: Trump’s #Syria Withdrawal

• NOT Consulted with Allies
• EU diplomat “learned from TV”
• State Department Marginalized
• US Troops looking for safe exits
• Tanf presence unclear
• US Sanctions expected on #Turkey https://t.co/XVifARTuG2

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) October 14, 2019

#BREAKING Pence says he will soon head to Turkey to discuss Syria pic.twitter.com/DxwH2PIzRC

— AFP news agency (@AFP) October 14, 2019

Kurdish source: opening all the SDF checkpoints for the passage of the Syrian Arab Army in preparation for confronting the Turkish aggression with Russian support.

— INTELSky (@Intel_Sky) October 14, 2019

Wow.
Pres Trump spoke with Gen Mazlum, commander of SDF, who is also most wanted by Turkey as the leader of PKK. https://t.co/GVsVG263ZP

— ilhan tanir (@WashingtonPoint) October 14, 2019

That’s a pretty good Tweet. https://t.co/xnXDW0D2De

— Steven A. Cook (@stevenacook) October 14, 2019

If there is a real economic embargo. It would definitely make Turkey weaker https://t.co/tmxs6JItEh

— Wladimir (@vvanwilgenburg) October 14, 2019

#Turkey provided no evidence for its claim that "Kurdish forces emptied an #ISIS prison in N. #Syria." The Kurds may simply have moved the prisoners further S. & out of Turkish hands. Turkey is using Islamist fighters today & facilitated ISIS in Syria. https://t.co/Qt2wLV71kx

— Bill Neely (@BillNeelyNBC) October 14, 2019

Scoop! This is BIG
Turkish reporter on Turkish TV:"Our gov backed forces fighting the Kurds are ISIS,Al-Qaeda and mercenaries. They take money from Qatar… .Turkey can't deny this.These forces are committing war crimes,&our state would be held to account."

Anchor:"So what?" pic.twitter.com/YCkHoHG3oi

— Raman Ghavami (@Raman_Ghavami) October 14, 2019

Guess who else is supporting Turkey in its invasion to genocide the Kurds?
After ISIS, Al-Qaeda and mercenaries, now Hamas, another terror group.
What an alliance.https://t.co/0Fpl7XHb2c

— Raman Ghavami (@Raman_Ghavami) October 14, 2019

#BREAKING: Finally after hours, almost 1,500 #Syria Arab Army troops arrived at the city center of #Manbij. Previously today, the #Syria Arab Army had deployed almost 20 T-55AVs & T-72B3 armoured tanks as well as BMP-1 armoured carriers to #Manbij to confront #Turkish Army. pic.twitter.com/91W0MnILjz

— Babak Taghvaee (@BabakTaghvaee) October 14, 2019

So the US is trying to intervene to prevent the YPG from hooking up with Syrian regime forces after leaving them hanging? US policy is deeply confused.

— Steven A. Cook (@stevenacook) October 14, 2019

U.S. officials tell @FoxNews Turkish artillery units are “intentionally” shelling Kurdish-run prisons in Syria allowing ISIS fighters to escape. Any indication Kurdish forces have released them is Turkish propaganda.

— Benjamin Hall (@BenjaminHallFNC) October 14, 2019

After taking control of Tabqa, Tabqa Airbase and Mansoura, SAA enter dozens of villages in Raqqa countryside and reportedly reach Ayn Issa. SAA from Hasakah extended control over Tell Tamer south-east of Ras al-Ayn. As part of deal reached with SDF/SDC following US withdrawal

— Hassan Ridha (@sayed_ridha) October 14, 2019

A land grab is under way in northern #Syria, as Turkish-backed militias aim to drive out the Kurds, who are seeking help from Assad. @RichardEngel for @MSNBC pic.twitter.com/NYjtTZGSrq

— On Assignment with Richard Engel (@OARichardEngel) October 14, 2019

This Trump tweet consists of five sentences. Each is false and irresponsible.
1. The Kurds aren't releasing ISIS fighters to get us involved.
2. ISIS fighters won't be easily recaptured.
3. Sanctions won't be big.
4. War with Turkey wasn't the alternative.
5. The wars won't end. https://t.co/PzM3ca7KIk

— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) October 14, 2019

The U.S. evacuated the small number of American diplomats assigned to northeastern Syria as the Trump administration prepares to withdraw military forces from the country, @DionNissenbaum reports https://t.co/meQ9m0NLCv

— Robbie Gramer (@RobbieGramer) October 14, 2019

My journalist friends currently in Syria are heading to the border to cross back into Iraq. Word is that Assad’s forces will be taking control of the border today and foreign journalists are no longer safe. Is this the end of the Kurdish experiment in self governance?

— Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) October 14, 2019

A funeral has been held for Kurdish politician Hevrin Khalaf, 35, who was “taken out of her car during a Turkish-backed attack and executed" pic.twitter.com/NYoz9R4geQ

— The National (@TheNationalUAE) October 14, 2019

Trump's handling of this withdrawal has been mind-boggling in its irresponsibility. Hard to imagine that his Syria team could not have impressed on him Turkey's history of collaboration with Nusra and even ISIS members in its efforts to destroy Kobani and roll back Kurdish forces https://t.co/G7YMrt8ttC

— Joshua Landis (@joshua_landis) October 14, 2019

Turkey has not been able to finish off PKK within Turkish territories since 1980s.
Now Turkey ventures into another country to finish off PKK off-shoot there.
Those experts who are telling you 'Erdogan is right at this time intervening' know this fact very well too. #Openended

— ilhan tanir (@WashingtonPoint) October 13, 2019

Did Ankara really try to talk with PYD/YPG?
Did Ankara try diplomacy to try to get peaceful settlement w/Syrian Kurds?
No.
Would you support going to war without negotiating first and negotiating hard?
Apparently some well known regional experts do. Shame.

— ilhan tanir (@WashingtonPoint) October 13, 2019

#Turkey-backed Syrian Interim govt leader Abdul Rahman Mustafa predicts the offensive will be expanded and says their fight will continue until every inch of #Syrian territory gets cleared from murderer #Assad regime elements and 'terror' groups. pic.twitter.com/4FDxjV2Pmu

— Abdullah Bozkurt (@abdbozkurt) October 13, 2019

As expected, #IlhanOmar is siding by her beloved Sultan Erdogan, but still bashes Trump too. #Epic
No tweet for a fellow Muslim politician #HevrinKhalaf Ilhan? Or her brutal murder is ok by you? https://t.co/TvuOeLVVok

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 14, 2019

By turning his war into a “holy war”, and aligning with the world’s worst thugs, #Erdogan has singlehandedly reduced #Turkey, a @NATO ally, to be worse than Assad.

Take a moment to absorb that!#KurdsBetrayed

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 13, 2019

A follower of mine has made me aware of the fact that there exists a Turkish online platform which cooperates with Turkish police. They make a database of critical voices online, mass report them to shut them down & arrest them if they are in Turkey.@Twitter #TwitterKurds
1/2 pic.twitter.com/nkhY7Xwzlx

— Heidar (@TheorePhysics) October 13, 2019

Extremely hot take: Maybe #Turkey failed to shape narrative in #Syria because #Erdogan publicly announced at #UNGA that he intends to carry out an #EthnicCleansingOperation in Syria?

In Turkey, ethnic cleansing of #Kurds may sound fine and normal, but else it is #barbaric. https://t.co/kPJTI5sl5g

— Konstantin Krammer (@KonstantinKlug) October 14, 2019

1/ This photograph to remember: cemetery in #Kobane, #Syria, for the #SDF fighters who died fighting against ISIS. I'll post the link to the story in a tweet below, but the NYT link uses a different photo. This is the image we should remember. pic.twitter.com/LsP2LZyRow

— Tom Warrick (@TomWarrickAC) October 13, 2019

Russia no fly zone in Syria👇🏻

Remember when US officials went on & on about how complex & expensive a Syria no fly zone would be?

Russia’s “can do” attitude & it’s unwavering stand with allies carries the day. Putin picking up the pieces of US failures in Mid East. https://t.co/Rxf5C2ODCA

— Firas Maksad (@FirasMaksad) October 14, 2019

TV reporter Mohammed Hussein Rasho from Afrin was killed in a Turkish airstrike on Serekaniye . Mohammed worked for Cira TV; an Ezidi channel. RIP. https://t.co/V54fVCUQmc

— Rasha Al Aqeedi (@RashaAlAqeedi) October 14, 2019

Bashar Assad's biggest supporter and enabler turned out to be Erdogan.

— Rasha Al Aqeedi (@RashaAlAqeedi) October 14, 2019

Spare me the nonsense on sanctions.

People are being slaughtered RIGHT NOW.

Bombs are dropping on children RIGHT NOW.

Instead of drafting sanctions bills, Republicans should use their massive leverage over the President to get him to change course. RIGHT NOW.

— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) October 14, 2019

O̶p̶e̶r̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶P̶e̶a̶c̶e̶ ̶S̶p̶r̶i̶n̶g̶ : Operation Unleash Isis

— Karl Sharro (@KarlreMarks) October 11, 2019

Posted in Syria, Turkey | Tagged #Syria, Assad, Erdogan, Kurds, PKK, SDF, Trump, Turkey | Leave a comment

Diary of Turkey’s Syria Offensive: Day 5 (Oct 13-2019)

Posted on October 13, 2019 by nervana111

Main Headlines

S. troops to withdraw farther in Syria as hundreds of ISIS supporters escape
Syrian army begins to move troops to ‘confront’ Turkey in Northern Syria
Turkish strike on convoy including civilians and journalists kills nine
Islamic state “family members” escape camp as Turkey-backed forces close in – Kurdish-led authority
Turkish airstrikes target hospitals target hospitals in Syria, allied militants abduct medical team
Christian communities in Northeast Syria are the target of a Turkish attack for the first time in over a century

From Twitter

LIVE — President Erdoğan (speaking to reporters about #OperationPeaceSpring): The total number of YPG/PKK terrorists neutralized during the operation has reached 490. 440 of those were killed, 26 were captured, while 24 surrendered pic.twitter.com/XEQlz9vbU6

— DAILY SABAH (@DailySabah) October 13, 2019

#BREAKING Turkey's offensive in Syria risks creating "unbearable" humanitarian situation: Macron pic.twitter.com/LmWksKj9VW

— AFP news agency (@AFP) October 13, 2019

Update: As per an agreement, Syrian gov forces are getting ready to entering Manbij through Sajur River line. Meanwhile some US forces are still in the Kobane area near Qaraqozak bridge

— Mutlu Civiroglu (@mutludc) October 13, 2019

News agency Reuters reports the Kurdish-led administration in northern Syria says 785 people affiliated with I.S. have escaped the Ain Issa camp following shelling by Turkey

— Sky News Breaking (@SkyNewsBreak) October 13, 2019

UPDATE: #Syria – #Turkey

• 785 ISIS Affiliates FLED (Reuters)
• US troops leave Ain Issa & Kobani
• 400,000 Displaced: UN
• Turkey advancing in Ain Issa, Suluk
• Urgent meetings in Washington
• Esper: 1000 US troops to evacuate
• FR, GER, Norway&Netherlands ban arms to🇹🇷

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) October 13, 2019

Who does US withdrawal benefit in #Syria ?

1- Russia (boosts Putin, outreach to Kurds inc SDF)
2- ISIS (biggest threat)
3- Assad (takeover US areas)
4- Iran (land bridge and influence)
5- Turkey (operate freely in NE) https://t.co/soC63VgpvJ

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) October 13, 2019

A Turkish airstrike hit a convoy of civilians in northeastern Syria. Numerous journalists were with them and several are reported killed. We don’t yet know their identities. This is the France 2 team letting colleagues know that they are okay. #Awful. https://t.co/p11Edsu91w

— Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) October 13, 2019

4/ Video showing ISIS affiliated women with their kids after escaping from Ain Issa camp earlier today. @akhbar pic.twitter.com/lFOCag8wxd

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) October 13, 2019

An SDF commander has confirmed to me that the Ain Issa camp has fallen and all the detainees (a population of thousands that includes ISIS supporters, ISIS relatives and civilians) have fled. “An unbelievable mess,” the commander said. Latest message: pic.twitter.com/yDehTSKkux

— Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) October 13, 2019

. @hushamalhashimi speaks sense on @skynewsarabia:
Escaped #ISIS families will probably head to their tribes, especially in AlJazeera region ( north east #Syria), and perhaps this is #Erdogan’s way to win local Sunni tribes in that region. @realDonaldTrump

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 13, 2019

Why have @cnnturk darkened my image in this picture to accuse me of spreading propaganda? I am raising important issues about Trump's decision to abandon the Kurds to Erdogan’s forces in north eastern Syria. pic.twitter.com/k2907GqCck

— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) October 13, 2019

I just received this CCTV footage from #SDF showing the #ISIL jihadists creating chaos in #Qamishli prison. They took advantage of #Turkey's #OperationPeaceSpring & at-least five of them fled the prison on Friday. They join #Turkey's #Syria National Army or #FSA.#BarisPinari pic.twitter.com/OuG5WBQ6Cx

— Babak Taghvaee (@BabakTaghvaee) October 13, 2019

The car is provided by the #US-led international coalition btw. https://t.co/RmZIGykLLn

— Shino Can (@sincan2023) October 13, 2019

“I cannot describe what I have seen. In the morgue, we saw a young man’s body with a severed leg on the bed next to him. In the hospital, there was an old man, wounded and just lost. He seemed to have no family.” https://t.co/gkhmOfR9nQ

— Louisa Loveluck (@leloveluck) October 13, 2019

"We are civilians, I swear to God," a wounded man cries after a Turkish airstrike hit a civilian group who were attempting to get out from #Serekaniye/#RasAlAin.#TurkishInvasion #Syrian pic.twitter.com/CTLwvsUn64

— Hisham Arafat (@HishamArafatt) October 13, 2019

As Turkish backed fighters approach a Kurdish held city in #Syria:
-700 #ISIS supporters escaped
-Erdogans forces are filming themselves beheading Kurds – U.S. troops are at serious risk of being cut off & of coming under attack by enemy fighters.

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) October 13, 2019

American military humiliated.

American diplomacy unrecognizable.

American allies betrayed.

An irreversible disaster. @realDonaldTrump.

— Diliman Abdulkader (@D_abdulkader) October 13, 2019

Turkish troops and factions loyal to it entered the northern Syrian city of #TalAbyad
(Reuters)#SaveRojava #Rojava #NorthSyria

— Nawras abdulla (@Mergayi) October 13, 2019

While in Saudi & UAE tomorrow, Putin will be welcoming the latest US ally to seek Russia’s warm & reassuring embrace- the Kurds of Syria- who will now look to Moscow’s air forces & it’s local allies to limit Turkey’s ambitions. pic.twitter.com/fNr6o5odCu

— Firas Maksad (@FirasMaksad) October 13, 2019

BREAKING: .@EsperDOD confirms that roughly 1,000 U.S. troops will be evacuating from northern Syria after latest Trump policy announcement in a "deliberate withdrawal."

— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) October 13, 2019

https://twitter.com/mustefabali/status/1183369190876557312?s=21

Exclusive: Kurdish allies learned of Trump's Syria pullout on Twitter: "We were like, 'What is this sh*t?'" https://t.co/iYg5UEZpQm

— 🎃Crispin Burke🎃 (@CrispinBurke) October 13, 2019

A statement of #Akıncı, the president of the Turkish Republic of Northern #Cyprus, criticising #Turkey’s military offence in northeast Syria that was launched on Wednesday has ignited a full-blown spat between Turkish Cypriot government and Ankara | Ahval https://t.co/mLERN4kuwl

— Ahval (@ahval_en) October 13, 2019

#BREAKING: The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) say 31 of their fighters have lost their lives in the last 24 hours as Turkey's operation in northeast #Syria continues. #TwitterKurds https://t.co/Ls2hlZCuGN pic.twitter.com/QzwbFtVCP8

— Kurdistan 24 English (@K24English) October 13, 2019

Turkish-backed rebels captured an Asayish (Kurdish security) HQ in Tal Abiad #Syria #Turkey pic.twitter.com/WmW6yqpaEv

— Michael A. Horowitz (@michaelh992) October 13, 2019

https://twitter.com/abdullahawez/status/1183381846375182336?s=21

1/ US official tells me Turkish backed Syrian rebels have set up checkpoints on road between Ain Issa and Kobani. We heard gunfire and saw civilians flee. Road closed. Turkish jet buzzed us and US convoy leaving the town.

— Nick Paton Walsh (@npwcnn) October 13, 2019

2/ Later, saw Turkish military APCs and tanks sat alongside the M4 main highway that connects West and East in Syrian Kurdish areas. Apparent Turkish ambition to cut main connecting road, effectively breaking Kurdish area in two. Live on CNN in 10 mins.

— Nick Paton Walsh (@npwcnn) October 13, 2019

Turkish-backed forces are preparing to attack Manbij, as the US is signaling it is leaving quickly. Thousands of fighters from Idlib have been recruited into the ranks of the assaulting forces against the SDF. A US ally, now forced to surrender to the regime.

— Elizabeth Tsurkov (@Elizrael) October 13, 2019

Two US officials with knowledge of the incident confirm to me that the Turkish attack on American forces near Kobani was not a mistake – they knew US troops were there.

“They are trying to push us out,” said one US official. We have now re-occupied the position.

— Lara Seligman (@laraseligman) October 13, 2019

Kurdish news agency claims 75 Turkish soldiers killed in operation. https://t.co/FybpciQloI

— Ankaralı Jan (@06JAnk) October 13, 2019

VERY GRAPHIC 18+

turkish backed jihadists humiliate the body of Syrian politician Hervin Khalef, after they ambushed and killed her on A4 road today while travelling from Qamislo to Ain Issa.@barbarastarrcnn @KonstantinKlug pic.twitter.com/34GKQh95xa

— Pol Kurdo (@kurdopol4773) October 12, 2019

Turkish state-backed media hails a “successful operation” to “neutralize” an unarmed 35-year old woman working to unite Arabs, Christians, and Kurds in NE Syria. Ms. Hevrin Khalef was reportedly dragged from a vehicle and shot to death. That’s a war crime. https://t.co/O5hEVQ28jt pic.twitter.com/dn6cl7VUZr

— Brett McGurk (@brett_mcgurk) October 12, 2019

Ahmet Mahmut Ünlü, popular pro-#Erdogan preacher, says God will send army of angels to support Turkish army, Kurdish fighters are atheists & condemned to hell, describes them as Armenian seeds, serving to Jews, accuses US of trying to save them with a disguise of civilian clothes pic.twitter.com/YsxMss7yX7

— Abdullah Bozkurt (@abdbozkurt) October 13, 2019

Protestors stop Turkish Airlines counter from checking people in in San Francisco, forcing the cancellation of a flight. https://t.co/ud5sYBpuyf

— Ankaralı Jan (@06JAnk) October 13, 2019

Kurds in #Iran’s Tehran city rally in support of Rojava and against the Turkish incursion of northern Syria with slogans, “Even if one Kurd lives, #Kurdistan will remain.” pic.twitter.com/UmkXbWIUHV

— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) October 13, 2019

Don’t even try. Tal Abyad was the main supply route for ISIS to Raqqa through an open border from Turkey. Turkey refused repeated requests from the international community to secure the border. Islamic State over Kurdish State! https://t.co/IeCsbHHW3V

— Julie Lenarz (@MsJulieLenarz) October 13, 2019

Arab sheikhs in NE-Syria stand against TR,call on Arab leaders for support.
"We confirm Turkey's criminal&expansionist ambitions've begun since introduction of FSA,Jabhit al Nusra&ISIS into our territory.We affirm our support for our children in the SDF."pic.twitter.com/mIMdLegDPK

— Raman Ghavami (@Raman_Ghavami) October 13, 2019

Removing context from facts is #Turkey and its allies biggest sins.
They anchored all their actions behind a fact
“PKK is terrorist group” but remove it from the context of Syria.
The result is the current onslaught.#KurdsBetrayed #Erdogan

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 13, 2019

US’s main mission in Syria in the last few years was mainly deterrence: Deterring all players ( invluding #Turkey and #YPG) from exploiting the weak stste.
Now this deterrence has gone and #ISIS will be the first
beneficiary. https://t.co/CjsXnlO7Ri

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 13, 2019

Thus far, not a single tweet from @HRW and @amnesty on the brutal murder of unarmed Kurdish politician #HevrinKhalaf and other kurdish civilians by Erdogan’s thugs.
Yet, both of them, tweeted today about #Egypt.
Such hypocrisy proves their ongoing bias in favour of Islamism.

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 13, 2019

In their support of Erdogan, Arab Islamists claims:
• PKK are mainly communist infidels who abused Arabs
•PKK supports Zionism
•This operation signals the start of the Caliphate. #ErdoganWarCriminal #KurdsBetrayed

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 13, 2019

I am still in disbelief that those, who labelled many factions of the Syrian opposition as *moderate*, are surprised by the atrocities committed by those thugs now against Kurds and other minorities.
Folks, your low bar was reckless and almost dystopian.#KurdsBetrayed

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 13, 2019

The people of Duhok are lining up in the hundreds donating blood for people of #Rojava. A donor openly stated on Rudaw news that the people of Hawler should burn down the Turkish consulate there. We are our own greatest allie. Stand together against #Turkey! pic.twitter.com/H2GU8LtQGi

— Hawzhin Azeez (@Dr_HawzhinAzeez) October 13, 2019

This is a cartoon broadly shared by Kurds in the social media today! pic.twitter.com/KSAWtTKPkB

— Mutlu Civiroglu (@mutludc) October 13, 2019

Here’s a Kurd who fought in WW2, with 8,000 other Kurds. https://t.co/cILTPrTYea

— Liz Sly (@LizSly) October 13, 2019

Plus

A history of selling out the Kurds, people with ‘no friends but the mountains’

Posted in Syria, Turkey | Tagged #Syria, Erdogan, Kurds, Turkey | Leave a comment

This Week in Egypt: Week 41 ( Oct 7-13)

Posted on October 13, 2019 by nervana111

Top Headlines

Egypt condemns ‘in strongest terms’ the Turkish operation in Syria; calls for urgent Arab League meeting
Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece slam Turkey over Eastern Mediterranean exploration
Egypt’s Sisi, Ethiopian PM to meet in Moscow to discuss Renaissance Dam
Egypt’s annual inflation eases to lowest in almost seven years

Main Headlines

Monday

1070 teachers sacked over Brotherhood links: Education minister
Egypt’s Court of Cassation orders retrial of police officers over killing protesters during 25 January 2011 Revolution
Egypt to open hepatitis virus treatment unit in Chad
Egypt will receive two grants from France to boost the energy and natural gas sectors

Tuesday

Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece slam Turkey over Eastern Mediterranean exploration
Egypt’s budget deficit is declined to EGP 39 billion in July
Egypt faces a severe non-conventional war” PM tell MPs
Market value of Egypt’s New Administrative Capital market now EGP 1 trillion

Wednesday

Egypt condemns ‘in strongest terms’ the Turkish operation in Syria; calls for urgent Arab League meeting
Egypt’s PM Madbouly accuses Ethiopia of violating GERD declaration of principles
Egypt’s stock market is considering decreasing its trading’s fees and commissions in the sake of enhancing EGX’s competitiveness.

Thursday

Egypt’s Sisi and Iraq president Saleh discuss Turkey’s offensive against Syria
Egypt security forces foil suicide bombing in North Sinai
Egypt’s annual inflation eases to lowest in almost seven years

Friday

Egypt’s Sisi and Ethiopia’s premier pledge to overcome obstacles in Nile dam talks
Two students from the University of Edinburgh who had been on a year abroad in Egypt were arrested, then released in Cairo
Egypt renews import duties on steel rebar, iron billets

Saturday

Arab foreign ministers condemn Turkish offensive in Syria
9 members of same family were killed in attack in Egypt’s Sinai
Egyptian-South Korean naval forces implement maritime drill in Mediterranean Sea

Sunday

Egypt’s Sisi, Ethiopian PM to meet in Moscow to discuss Renaissance Dam
Putin says Russia seeking free trade area with Egypt and Israel
Egypt arrests two more prominent activists in an ongoing sweep
House speaker asserts Egypt’s full support to Algeria during transition period
Egypt’s water ministry reports increased River Nile volume in October

Reports

The ‘quantum leap’ in Egypt-Israel relations. Mada Masr
Egypt: Largest wave of mass arrests since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi came to power. Amnesty
Egypt, US combine efforts to boost family planning programs. Al-Monitor

From Twitter

Amid a bitter standoff with #Egypt over the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (#GERD), #Ethiopia is considering cutting the installed capacity of the Dam by 1,300MW. (Paywall) https://t.co/WGStXbi6ZV pic.twitter.com/JsQIEY2CJ6

— Addis fortune (@addis_fortune) October 13, 2019

Thanks to #Egypt's president #Sisi, now #Russia & #Syria Governments are allied with Kurds (#Rojava/#YPG) & #SDF. They are going to protect the cities of #Qamishli, #Kobani, #Manbij &… in NE #Syria from danger of occupation by #Turkey and its Islamic terrorists! pic.twitter.com/n6dvwaiuYt

— Babak Taghvaee (@BabakTaghvaee) October 13, 2019

“The Qatari reservation puts Qatar in one trench with the aggressor, and I have no further comment,” Egypt’s foreign minister says on Qatar’s reservation regarding the final statement of the Arab League’s session on Turkey’s offensive in northeast Syria.https://t.co/fJ1BTCCnVj

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) October 12, 2019

#Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Ministry condemns the #Turkish attack on #Syria, saying that it represents a blatant & unacceptable attack on the sovereignty of an #Arab State by exploiting the unstable circumstances they are going through. pic.twitter.com/kNmFNzbkxD

— Mahmoud Gamal (@mahmouedgamal44) October 9, 2019

“#Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (#UAE), #Bahrain, #Jordan, #Egypt and #Lebanon condemn the #Turkish aggression against #Syria”

Remind me again, who are we standing with? #Turkey #Erdogan https://t.co/kWYdtnXm7y

— Matthew RJ Brodsky (@RJBrodsky) October 9, 2019

Egypt is currently operating four air bases & military airports on the southern strategic direction including two air bases (Ras Banas/Eastern Owainat), which were recently established as part of the development plan of the Egyptian armed forces. pic.twitter.com/1HbUD0w3E1

— Mahmoud Gamal (@mahmouedgamal44) October 9, 2019

Important: Egypt has got the Russian-Made Resonance-NE early warning radar recently

The Radar is considered as VHF band radar which has a maximum range of 1100km & ability to simultaneously monitor and track up to 500 air traget at the same time including the hypersonic targets pic.twitter.com/35YQUqBgxp

— Mahmoud Gamal (@mahmouedgamal44) October 12, 2019

US dollar continues falling against the Egyptian Pound. 16.28 vs 17.90 last year. Flotation has stabilized the market, made foreign currency available almost obliterating the black market.

— The Big Pharaoh (@TheBigPharaoh) October 8, 2019

Alaa Abd El Fattah and Mohamed al-Baqer remain in pretrial detention in maximum security wing of Tora Prison. Their families said the men were stripped naked, beaten and verbally abused. “It seems some calculation has changed,” Abd El Fattah’s family said: https://t.co/ko3LH3MkJF pic.twitter.com/JQHIpZ9Rix

— Mada Masr مدى مصر (@MadaMasr) October 10, 2019

News outlets attacked the National Council for Human Rights using language dictated by security officials on Whatsapp after the NCHR called the random police searches of people’s phones unconstitutional, ahead of a UN review of Egypt’s human rights record: https://t.co/dw0bW47G9g pic.twitter.com/8mXGOqbzJx

— Mada Masr مدى مصر (@MadaMasr) October 10, 2019

Guys good news! the most famous TV show in Egypt watched by millions of Egyptians talked about how BTS concert is magical and huge and that the group is the biggest currently and showed videos of the amount of people who came. the promo bts is getting

pic.twitter.com/8TqzTETXPf

— noreen 🔪 (@vantesari) October 12, 2019

Today begins the week-long Jewish holiday of #Sukkot – during which we commemorate the portable dwellings where the Jewish people lived for 40 yrs, following the liberation from slavery in Egypt, thousands of years ago.

Read more:📎https://t.co/MA1KG36u5Q pic.twitter.com/rJEqbF29zS

— Israel ישראל (@Israel) October 13, 2019

#BehindTheScenes 😃 pic.twitter.com/hDVX6phX5L

— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) October 12, 2019

Plus

Giza Zoo’s only elephant dies

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt | Tagged Cyprus, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, Renaissance Dam, Turkey | Leave a comment

Diary of Turkey’s Syria Offensive: Day 4 (Oct 12-2019)

Posted on October 12, 2019 by nervana111

The Turkish assault on northeastern Syria is called Operation “Peace Spring”, but it has become clear that it is simply a horrific assault on the Kurdish people and other minorities in North Syria. I decided to chronicle the Turkish assault by gathering relevant tweets and articles on daily basis.

Here is my collection from today:

Turkey’s conflict in Syria took a major turn today. First alleged atrocities by Turkish-backed Arab militias, executing Kurds. US military officials tell me it's true, and they are DEEPLY concerned it opens the door to BOTH ethnic cleansing of Kurds and return of ISIS/Al-Qaeda

— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) October 12, 2019

Worth noting that “Mohammadan army” is a well known slogan by #Islamists, who have used for decades against #Jews reminding them of how they were expelled from Medina.
“Khaibar oh Jews, army of Mohamed will return”
For #Erdogan, Kurds are worse than Jews.@realDonaldTrump https://t.co/E6Gu0VZ9fk

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 11, 2019

Reports co-head of Syrian Future Party Hevrin Khalaf killed on the road by Turkish artillery strike. I am trying to get more info. She was a very strong female politician. I interviewed her once in Ain al Issa. pic.twitter.com/mbDn6WIDfj

— Wladimir (@vvanwilgenburg) October 12, 2019

Should be noted Future Party was created also on suggestion of US to improve relations with Turkey. Now Turkish backed groups have killed her in attack. pic.twitter.com/PdKikhnEvS

— Wladimir (@vvanwilgenburg) October 12, 2019

Report was just updated with @SDCPress statement: “She was taken out of her car during a Turkish-backed attack and executed by Turkish backed mercenary factions on the International Road between Qamishlo and Manbij"https://t.co/lzFucrEynF

— Wladimir (@vvanwilgenburg) October 12, 2019

Dozens of civilians have been reported dead on Turkey's fourth day of bombing Kurdish enclaves in Syria. International condemnation of Turkey is growing, with Germany stopping arms sales to the country. https://t.co/ggxXkOxLjP

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) October 12, 2019

Horrible videos emerging from NE #Syria today of #Turkey proxies field-executing SDF fighters.

You can hear one saying “another pig gone.” Warning, this is a graphic thread of videos: pic.twitter.com/cX8Xw2ljsQ

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) October 12, 2019

Worrying trend this.

Turkish backed groups stopped today civilians on the freshly captured M4 highway in northern Syria and arrested them.

In this video, the fighters accused them of being "pkk pigs." The man in the yellow car is clearly only a taxi driver.@akhbar pic.twitter.com/alOMNGpNon

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) October 12, 2019

1/ The fear of the Turkish operation in North Syria is not limited to Kurds. But other minorities as well.

I visited an Assyrian (christian) village, near the Turkish border. There are 14 families still here. They are terrified of what might come. Watch this:@akhbar pic.twitter.com/QCR2LfNtkL

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) October 12, 2019

UPDATE: #Syria – #Turkey

• Arab League to consider Econ.& Diplomatic actions vs Turkey
• Algeria, Lebanon & Iraq want Assad Gov back in AL
• Turkey+proxies Advance in Ras Ayn
• Germany Bans Arms Exports to🇹🇷
• SDF: 300 Killed total, 100K fled
• Assad reportedly near Manbij

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) October 12, 2019

The human face of Trump decision to give Turkey a free pass to attack Kurdish allies in Northeastern Syria. Heartbreaking . pic.twitter.com/VTV79AsK31

— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) October 12, 2019

.@RichardEngel is on the frontlines of #Turkey's assault in #northern Syria. The Kurds fear that Turkey wants to clear the region and resettle it with Arab refugees who support Turkey. @NBCNightlyNews pic.twitter.com/gXvZIS63q6

— On Assignment with Richard Engel (@OARichardEngel) October 12, 2019

https://twitter.com/vvanwilgenburg/status/1183147376489443329?s=20

New video: TFSA thugs in NE Syria, most likely #TalAbyad watch this video to the end and see the guy that is filming. ISIS is back with Turkey’s support. #TurkishInvasion #KurdishGenocide pic.twitter.com/aRHpKhdBkF

— Dlshad Othman (@dlshadothman) October 12, 2019

The #SDC/#SDF statement on #Turkey-backed #NSA summarily executing Gen-Sec of Future #Syria Party seems completely plausible in light of emerging video evidence, albeit circumstancial.
Here they are executing #SDF (calling them #PKK) fighters on in an ambush checkpoint pic.twitter.com/c2GsMm2XeQ

— Riam Dalati (@Dalatrm) October 12, 2019

The worst thing for me about doing research on the invasion of NE Syria is not watching field execution or looking at photos of mutilated children. It is talking to the Syrians fighting on Turkey's behalf, trying to justify doing something truly unjustifiable.

— Elizabeth Tsurkov (@Elizrael) October 12, 2019

Wow, Turkish media is bragging about "neutralizing" a Kurdish Politician, a Human Rights Defender, a beacon of peace & hope for Syria's future as only a genocidal state can. She wanted Democracy, secularism, female equality, Turkey wants jihadism, sharia & dead Kurds. https://t.co/mPyZvvpSZv

— Janet Grabowski (@janetcalif) October 12, 2019

Arab foreign ministers condemned Turkey's "aggression" in Syria where it is pressing an offensive against Kurdish forces, calling for an immediate withdrawal of Ankara's troops https://t.co/AeOHzrW9vO

— AFP news agency (@AFP) October 12, 2019

Bearing the brunt of Kurdish counter-attacks, Turkish residents on the frontline of the offensive into Syria long for peace.

The operation has broad support across much of Turkey.

But anyone who feels differently is not allowed to say so https://t.co/CT6bvw535T

📷 @ozannkosee pic.twitter.com/lHiMIJFQNG

— AFP news agency (@AFP) October 12, 2019

!
U.S. forces say Turkey was deliberately launched artillery rounds near American troops in Syria
WaPo says "But the situation, first reported by Newsweek, was more serious than characterized Friday”https://t.co/Tdf5rpaQ9n

— ilhan tanir (@WashingtonPoint) October 12, 2019

Turkish authorities arrest Al Arabiya correspondent Zidan Zanklo for his coverage of Turkey's offensive in Syria. https://t.co/2pBHwxjyR1 pic.twitter.com/f836Q8HJpd

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) October 12, 2019

It’s just stunning these guys think that they can get away with this lie.

They pulled our troops out FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE of allowing Turkey to invade northern Syria.

Then just LAST NIGHT they blocked a UN Security Council effort to condemn Turkey’s invasion. https://t.co/YxZUoOnBq7

— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) October 11, 2019

Day 4 of Turkey's invasion of Syria:
60 injured
119 killed
100,000 forced to flee

U.N. Human Rights Council still silent:
0 resolutions
0 urgent sessions
0 commissions of inquiry

Why, @mbachelet? https://t.co/rF6ODFrQFP

— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) October 12, 2019

Where @hrw and @amnesty from today’s #Turkey war crimes in North Syria?
Halal? #Silence is a crime #Erdogan_Terrorist

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 12, 2019

As I wrote yesterday, #Turkey manufacture about 70% of its weopons. So such European posturing will change nothing in reality.
Pro-Erdogan militias do not need fancy weapons to kill #Kurds!#Erdogan fully understand that! https://t.co/qm2fZzkrDt

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 12, 2019

One of the reason of the current shock from the behaviour of Turkey-backed militias is the glamorisation of anti-Assad factions and portray many of them as “moderate”.
They were NEVER moderate; they had only a moderate facade to please their Western backers.#KurdsBetrayed

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 12, 2019

Let’s compare
• #Kurdish forces have locked #ISIS thugs in prison
• #Erdogan’s *peaceful* army beheads Kurds prisoners of war.#RIP #Hevrin_Khalaf
Who are the terrorists ? pic.twitter.com/WljtlAlA9q

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 12, 2019

Shame on Iraqi Sunni politician whitewashing Erdogan’s demographic re-engineering, and portrays it as a “noble mission”
What a nauseating tweet!#KurdsBetrayed https://t.co/60h9T1Hogj

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 12, 2019

It is painful to witness the betrayal of #Kurdish forces and the peaceful civilians living under their control.
It is more painful to witness the eclipse of the world’s Super-power and how it allowed itself to be bullied by #Erdogan @realDonaldTrump

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) October 11, 2019

“You know as Kurds we are going through difficult times” says Kurdish musician Kayhan Kalhor. “Turkey has attacked us in northern Syria… as a sign of respect for my people… I cancel my concert in Istanbul” https://t.co/oSkenkOKjl

— Fazel Hawramy (@FazelHawramy) October 11, 2019

Good read:

The international community must stop Turkey’s ethnic cleansing plans in North Syria Wladimir van Wilgenburgand Amy Austin Holmes
We cannot abandon our Kurdish allies. Tyson Manker
Ankara’s revolting euphemisms, bogus arguments and pipe dreams. Cengiz Aktar
Turkey’s assault on Kurds: The silence of the Islamists. John Rossomando

Posted in Syria, Turkey, Twitter Thread | Tagged #Syria, Erdogan, Turkey | Leave a comment

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