US bolsters existing military presence in Syria, suggesting indefinite stay

The National ^ | April 26, 2018 | David Enders

[mrsmith]

"The SDF and YPG control about a quarter of Syria, while Turkey backs a rival Syrian militia known as the Free Syrian Army (FSA) that has recently taken over much of the Syrian side of the Syrian-Turkish border.

That campaign has been accompanied by widespread reports that the FSA forcibly displaced large numbers of Kurds, and in some cases is already repopulating towns and villages with Arabs from other parts of the country.

“The American presence aims at deterring any attack on the area and preventing clashes between FSA and SDF,” said Mr Al Ahmed. ...

“The stabilisation effort is a ‘Herculean task.’ The Raqqa Civil Council (RCC) is striving to meet the critical needs of returning Syrians," said a US government official familiar with the efforts."But this will be a long, deliberate process given the scale of destruction and ongoing needs. Part of the stabilisation effort includes capacity building for the RCC.”

But the US is not alone. At the largest American position in northern Syria, a cement factory near the city of Kobani, residents said there are also Danish and French special forces. Those countries may also expand their presence.

“Yesterday, the French went and took Al Alyah, which is an old military position for the (Syrian) regime in southern Ras Al Ayn,” Mr Al Ahmed told The National on Wednesday. “This could turn into a French base.” "

[mrsmith]

Kurds to the NE Syria, Turkey/Sunni's FSA to the NW. Buffer zone in the middle.

Actually sounds to me like a solid plan to get our military out in about a year, before re-election time.

[Aliska]

Why did Macron ask Trump for us to stay? Our local talk show host who is very conservative said last week he wouldn't send any of his kids to fight in the Middle East.

[mrsmith]

Besides the obvious reason- money, I think because we have more cachet with the Kurds (and everyone).

[mrsmith]

Signs of the future.

[familyop]

'Adversaries' jamming Air Force gunships in Syria, Special Ops general says
Fox News ^ | April 25, 2018 | Lucas Tomlinson
[Exerpt:]
"Russian mercenaries...attacked an outpost manned by American commandos and U.S.-backed fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), comprising Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters...Today, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is the U.S. military's best ally in the fight against ISIS in Syria, helping to take back 90 percent of territory formerly held by ISIS. It consists of well over 50,000 Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters."

[gaijin]

Good thing about this is it will hugely speed up building the wall,

plus all the operations will be for free, I’m sure; we’ll make new friends and everyone will be grateful.

it’s not like we have 21 trillion dollars in debt, after all.

[Texas Fossil]

Trump does not want to be there, but knows the option now of leaving brings total disaster for the region. And our allies there. (not speaking of Turkey as an ally)

[SunkenCiv]

The Three Amigos

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, Russia's Vladimir Putin and Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan meet in Sochi, Russia November 22, 2017. (photo credit: SPUTNIK/MIKHAIL METZEL/KREMLIN VIA REUTERS)