[BeauBo]

Al Queda (HTS, or Hayat Tarir al Sham) has swept to control of the main remaining rebel area in Syria, while Turkish forces redeployed, preparing to attack the Kurds. Now the HTS (al Queda) control two main Highways (M4 and M5), and are amassing a fortune from "taxing" (plundering) the population.

The sweep was so rapid (one week), that some suspect that Turkey allowed (or directed) this consolidation. Why did the dog not bark? There has not been a significant Turkish counterattack.

This is the most territory/population that al Queda has controlled, since they were expelled from Afghanistan.

[BeauBo]

ping.

[granada]

Freedom fighters. used to be the ally of America (during Obama/McCain’s lib/NeoCon era).

[LeonardFMason]

Oh I see.

Al-Queda under Trump.

Freedom Fighters for Obama.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"Al Queda (HTS, or Hayat Tarir al Sham) has swept to control of the main remaining rebel area in Syria, while Turkish forces redeployed, preparing to attack the Kurds."

The laws of unintended consequences, it always bites you in the arse. We announce a rapid pullout of Syria, the Turks see an opportunity to wipe out an old foe and re-deploy their forces to attack the Kurds and Al Qada takes advantage of that.

All I'm saying is that if we could have gotten allies in place, be they Saudi Arabia/UAE/French coalition like it appears to be happening or something else and then withdrawn I don't think this happens. No decision made should be made in a vacuum.

[mac_truck]

This is a command and control changeover by the jihadists... with the CIA supported terrorist group turning positions, personnel and heavy weapons over to the Turkish supported one.

They're out in the desert together test firing BGM-71 TOW missiles right now.

[Texas Fossil]

Ignorance? Self dillusion? Entrapment? Treachery?

No matter what they say, I know the true Nature of Erdogan the Islamist and his friends. Will not buy all these lies. I’m old enough to know fog of war vs BS.

---

Mutlu Civiroglu @mutludc
https://twitter.com/mutludc/status/1082438372642246657
Pompeo says Turkey to ‘protect’ Syrian Kurdish fighters @France24_en #TwitterKurds
https://www.france24.com/en/20190107-pompeo-says-turkey-protect-syrian-kurdish-fighters?ref=tw

pic
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Turkey promised to protect Kurdish fighters in Syria in the wake of President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out American troops US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Turkey promised to protect Kurdish fighters in Syria in the wake of President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out American troops POOL/AFP

—

Pompeo says Turkey to ‘protect’ Syrian Kurdish fighters
https://www.france24.com/en/20190107-pompeo-says-turkey-protect-syrian-kurdish-fighters?

—

Erdogan: Trump Is Right on Syria. Turkey Can Get the Job Done.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/07/opinion/erdogan-turkey-syria.html?smid=tw-nytopinion&smtyp=cur

—

Interview With Wilfred Frost of CNBC
Interview
Michael R. Pompeo
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
January 7, 2019

https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2019/01/288346.htm

—

Carolyn Pierce @cfpierce
https://twitter.com/cfpierce/status/1082460230154375168
#Turks leaving #Turkey in droves due to:
Fear of political persecution, terrorism, increased distrust of judiciary, unfair rule of law, deteriorating business climate & worries #Erdogan is manipulating mgmt of economy to benefit himself & his inner circle.

Spurning Erdogan’s Vision, Turks Leave in Droves, Draining Money and Talent
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/world/europe/turkey-emigration-erdogan.html

[Texas Fossil]

Here is what I was looking for:

Turkey rejects Trump adviser John Bolton's Syria plan, insisting it will fight Kurdish militia

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-war-turkey-erdogan-john-bolton-trump-kurdish-military-middle-east-a8716996.html

This is what I knew was coming. It will come down to a showdown between Erdogan the Regional powers, the US and Russia. Will they let Turkey? Or will they crush his drive.