It is feared it is the prelude to the ground offensive in the quadrant, announced by Turkey. All actors involved stockpile supplies and practice combat readiness.
The TAF, after a logistical stop, resumed the bombing on Aleppo and Hasaka. SDF train with Inherent Resolve. Damascus sends reinforcements, but awaits Russia.
The pro al-Qaeda group, struggling over Turkey’s ultimatum that forced it to withdraw most of its men, has launched a campaign of arrests among rival factions.
HTS today faces a request for general mobilization of the population in Aleppo, in addition to the Russian raids on Idlib and the clashes between pro-Turkey militias.
The cause is the uncertainty linked to the new Ankara offensive in Kurdistan. The factions fear being squeezed between the TAF and the SDF, who also have the SAA on their side.
Mass destruction of sites in Aleppo is underway, from Afrin to Al-Jouz. Pro-Ankara groups use bulldozers and jackhammers to find treasures to sell on the black market.
They are formally arrested for supporting the Kurdish administration, but the only goal is to raise cash thanks to false bails. Boom of the phenomenon in Aleppo.
Afrin and Sere Kanye are the epicenter. The military build-up in the area and the few resources increase the nervousness of the factions, even towards their allies.
Turkey and allied militias send reinforcements to Tel Abyad. The SAA and SDF do likewise east of Ain Issa. Ankara must drive the enemy away from Idlib, but the price could be very high.