ISIS/ISIL conflict in Syria/Iraq (No OpEd, No Politics)

Jura said:

... and plenty of activity going on there, but I'm short on time this evening, so I decided to briefly translate the points from the blog by "Cassad" (he blames the Big Satan for everything so I skip those fragments; source is ...

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1. Forward positions of Kurds bombed by the Turkish AF today; Turkish armor covered advancing Rebels
   
2. New front-lines are being formed (I guess amassing of Turkish forces is meant
   here): fierce fights to be expected if Kurds don't back off
   
3. Part of YPG (
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   ) is for the war against Turkey
4. ISIL takes advantage of the above development, was able to retreat in Al-Bab direction
5. Turkish troops, equipment arriving; so far in total: about 80 armored vehicles plus several thousand soldiers plus Rebels at least three thousand fighters
6. Kurdish forces (SDF/YPG) north to Manbij: in between 3500 and 5500 thousand fighters, with very little armor, and air-support no longer available
7. Mr. Erdogan called Mr. Putin today, arranged for a meeting to take place September 4-5; also today, Turkish and Russian Chieffs of Staff met
8. Turkey made clear both ISIL and Kurds would be engaged if stayed in Syrian border-areas
9. Kurdish official statement says Kurds may stay west to the Euphrates on their own sole (and this is of course conflicting to the Turkish demand)
10. In connection with #8: The US wouldn't directly support the Turks

Jura said:

and if you nitpick, I won't respond ...
so I repeat it's not my points, and add the map:

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ISIS recaptures Al-Rai following massive attack
By

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- 27/08/2016

Aleppo, Syria (5:00 A.M.) – Just a few days following its massive retreat from the northeastern countryside of Aleppo, ISIS launched a large counteroffensive aimed at capturing the border town of Al-Rai and its surrounding towns.

The Islamic State’s tactical withdrawal from the Jarablus region of Aleppo allowed for the terror group to alocate many fighters for the capture of Al-Rai and its surrounding region as Kurds and Turkish-backed jihadists fight viciously against each other along the Turkish-Syrian border.

The astute IS retreat forced a direct confrontation between the YPG and the Turkish-backed FSA enabling the terror group the sufficient time and manpower to fortify its defense lines around Al-Bab, its administrative capital of Aleppo and one of its last remaining strongholds in the aforementioned province.

As of now, ISIS has succeeded in capturing the border stronghold with the group’s strategy seemingly more focused on expanding the border region around Al-Rai, an area much more easily defendable than Jarablus.

Should the fanatical group build an expansive buffer zone around Al-Rai, it would ensure itself prolonged presence on the border and prove to be a considerable hurdle in the way of the Turkish-led invasion aimed at securing a corridor between Azaz and Jarablus.

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Syrian Armed Forces dominate the jihadist supply line to Aleppo
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- 26/08/2016

Aleppo, Syria (8:30 P.M.) – Jaysh Al-Fateh (Army of Conquest) suffered heavy casualties along the Khan Touman-Ramouseh Road on Friday after they were caught by a number of the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) ATGMs (anti-tank guided missile) while trying to reach the provincial capital.

Led by the Tiger Forces, the Syrian Arab Army imposed fire control over the Khan Touman-Ramouseh Road after capturing Tal Umm Qara’, leaving the jihadist rebels trapped inside the southern Aleppo districts.

Over the last four days, Jaysh Al-Fateh has attempted to recapture Tal Umm Qara’ from the Syrian Armed Forces; however, they have failed every time and suffered a significant number of casualties as a result of their offensive to seize this key hilltop in southern Aleppo.

If Jaysh Al-Fateh does not recapture Tal Umm Qara soon, they will be in serious trouble inside the southern districts of the provincial capital, as provisions run low.

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delft said:

From AMN:

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• this has appeared at a pro-Government Twitter account:
  "Turkish backed rebels regain al-Ra'i in north Aleppo after IS was able to capture it for a few hours", and
• and here's the video which purports to show a recapture of Al-Rai by Rebels from ISIL (the area, events there are so complicated I better added who reportedly taken what from whom):
  

Jura said:

...

in non-Government Twitter accounts I saw claims of Rebels planning to merge Jarabulus and Al-Rai areas, so ...

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Jura said:

...
I've read the Turkish ultimatum demanding Kurds to leave Manbij area expires tomorrow ...

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Syria in Jarabulus on the border with Turkey, "Firat Shield" in the operation, the terrorist organization PKK's extension in Syria PYD members of the TSK's two-tank rocket was thrown in the attack one soldier was killed while three soldiers were wounded.

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FORBIN said:

1 or 2 Turkish M-60A3 destroyed by ATGMs

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