Syrian Kurds, Arab Rebels and Assyrians Form New Alliance

A U.S.-backed Syrian-Kurdish militia, a number of Arab rebel groups and an Assyrian Christian group in Syria have formed a coalition to build a democratic representation for a number of moderate parties within Syria, according to a statement seen by Reuters on Monday.

The new alliance, which is calling itself the Democratic Forces of Syria, includes the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) that beat back the Islamic State (ISIS) with the support of U.S. airstrikes in the Syrian-Kurdish border town of Kobani earlier this year. The YPG continues to battle the radical Islamist group in areas of northeastern Syria and the formation of this coalition may act as a step towards an offensive against the group.

The group also includes Syrian rebel groups such as Jaysh al-Thuwwar (Army of Rebels)—a coalition of seven groups of the U.S.-backed Free Syrian Army that is fighting both ISIS and the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad—as well as three other rebel factions. These Arab groups fall under the umbrella of the Syrian Arab Coalition. Christian Assyrian group named the Syriac Military Council (MFS) that is fighting ISIS in northern Syria has also joined the new alliance.

Wired because an article on here earlier was saying that the Kurds have formed with Russia.

Seems all sorts of B/S is being spouted in this media war.

I’ll believe it when I see it and hope meanwhile the so called not moderate Syrians who Obama has backed, ISIS and all the other terrorists due a painful death. Then have all the immigrants in Europe sent back there.

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

Sounds like this is a political affiliation, to establish another “moderate” political option in Syria, besides just Assad or the Islamic State.

These guys are mostly in the East, away from the main Russian/Iranian/Assad effort to destroy the “moderate” rebel option in the NorthWest, and to secure the Alawite coastal enclaves and Russian Naval base.

This political affiliation will serve those groups for now, to collect payments and supplies from the Americans, and maybe some air support. I would not be surprised if this was an American (covert) initiative.

Once the NorthWestern rebel groups are crushed though, and the conflict enters the next phase, all bets are off.

When Assad is ready to move on to his next threat, these guys don’t want to be it. It will then be time to make a deal, to gang up on the Jihadis. The Kurds and Christians by then will probably need Assad/Russian/Iranian support more than the other way around. Historically, Assad maintained Kurds and Christians as counterweights against the Sunni majority.

The Turks have been big (covert) supporters of IS, and the Kurds are a huge card to play against the Turkish regime. The Kurds may be eager to have powerful allies against the Turkish strikes they have been suffering for the last few months.

It is the Middle East, and loyalties are always subject to a better temporary deal.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.