Syrian Tribes Hold Major Meeting Ahead Of U.S. Forces Withdrawal
On January 25, Syrian tribes held a major meeting in the government-held town of Ithriyah in Aleppo, where they discussed foreign threats and stressed their support for the Syrian Arab Army (SAA).
The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that thousands of tribal leaders and public figures from all over Syria, including the areas controlled by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), had attended the meeting. Tribal leaders from nearby Lebanon and Iraq were also present.
In the meeting’s foundational statement, the leaders stressed that the Syrian people are determined to defend themselves, their lands and their sovereignty by all means against any form of aggression, including the American and Turkish occupation of the Syrian territories.
The tribal leaders also emphasized that the Syria is untied and independent and said that the sons of the northeastern region are committed to their homeland, state, army and leadership.
“The flag of the country is the flag of the Syrian Arab Republic, which symbolizes its sovereignty and sanctity,” the statement concluded.
The meeting, which was reportedly organized by pro-government businessmen and the Syrian intelligence, is a part of the Damascus government’s efforts to pressure the SDF. The Kurdish dominated group appears to be submitting to this pressure as it has not prevented tribal leaders from attending the meeting as it did before.
A day earlier, Kurdish commander Sipan Hemo said that Damascus is taking positive steps and revealed that a new round of talks will begin soon. These talks will likely shape the future of northeastern Syria following the upcoming withdrawal of U.S. forces.
https://southfront.org/syrian-tribes-hold-major-meeting-ahead-of-u-s-forces-withdrawal/
Senior Kurdish Official: We Will Choose Assad Over Turkish Attack
"Kurdish forces are negotiating with the Damascus government in order to protect northeastern Syria from any attack that Turkey may launch after the nearing withdrawal of U.S. forces, Ilham Ahmed, a co-chair of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), told Bloomberg on January 26.
“It isn’t comfortable for us but what is the other option?” said Ilham, who is currently visiting Washington. “If we were cornered into choosing between a Turkish militia attacking our areas,” and reaching an accord with President Bashar al-Assad, she said in an interview in Washington, “we would go with the regime.”
Ilham also confirmed that the SDC has provided President Bashar al-Assad and Russia with an 11-point road map reintegrating the region under the Damascus government. According to her, Syria should be “decentralized” but united.
Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw all American troops from Syria, Turkey began its preparations to launch a military operation in the SDC-controlled areas in the northeastern part of country.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his country will establish a safe-zone in northeastern Syria where Arab and Kurds will live together. Furthermore, he claimed that the zone would allow millions of Syrian refugees return to their homeland.
However, Ilham argues that such a Turkish-controlled zone wouldn’t be safe at all for the Kurds, but a “swamp of terrorism.” The Kurdish official also emphasized that Syrian Kurds are willing to fight to defend themselves from any Turkish attack."
https://southfront.org/senior-kurdish-official-we-will-choose-assad-over-turkish-attack/
Military Situation In Syria On January 27, 2019
https://southfront.org/military-situ...19-map-update/