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Syria Syria

Allegedly:
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Apparently so: Islamic State encircled in Syria's al-Bab after army advance
Al-Bab is reportedly surrounded. Also reports of Russians accompanying the SAA (and allies) forces which should prevent 'green(?)' on 'green(?)' clashes:
Syrian government forces advanced on the northern Islamic State-held city of al-Bab on Monday, cutting off the last supply route that connects it to militant strongholds further east towards Iraq, a monitor said.

Islamic State militants in the area are now effectively surrounded by the army from the south and by Turkish-backed rebels from the north, as Damascus and Ankara race to capture the largest Islamic State stronghold in Aleppo province.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based war monitor, said the army and allied militia made gains southeast of al-Bab overnight, and fought the militants there on Monday.

Backed by air strikes, they severed a road that links the city to other Islamic State-held territory in Raqqa and Deir al-Zor provinces, it said.

A military commander in the alliance fighting in support of President Bashar al-Assad said Islamic State was encircled.

"There is one narrow passage left out of al-Bab," the commander said. Government forces now had most of it "within close firing range".

The Syrian army's advance towards al-Bab risks triggering a confrontation with the Turkish military and its allies - rebel groups fighting under the Free Syria Army banner - which have been waging their own campaign to take the city.

In three weeks, Syrian army units moved to within 6 km (4 miles) of al-Bab, as Damascus seeks to stop its neighbor, Turkey, penetrating deeper into a strategic area of northern Syria.

"It's clear the regime is in a hurry to reach al-Bab," said Mustafa Sejari, a senior rebel official in the FSA group Liwa al-Mutasem. The Turkish-backed rebels, who have had the city in their sights for months, would fight government forces if they got in the way, he said.

Turkey launched its campaign in Syria, "Euphrates Shield", in August to secure its frontier from Islamic State and halt the advance of the powerful Kurdish YPG militia.

Northeast of the city, Turkish troops and FSA rebels, backed by Turkish air strikes, clashed on Monday with Islamic State around the town of Bazaa, the Observatory said. Turkish-backed forces had briefly captured the town before suicide bombers pushed them out on Saturday.

SYRIA, TURKEY RISK FACE-OFF

Al-Bab is 40 km (25 miles) northeast of Aleppo, where the government defeated rebels in December, its most important gain of the nearly six-year-old war.

Northern Syria is one of the most complicated battlefields of the multi-sided Syrian war, with Islamic State now being fought there by the Syrian army, Turkey and its rebel allies, and an alliance of U.S.-backed Syrian militias.

If a clash does occur, it would be the first time Syrian government forces have confronted the Turkish army on the ground in northern Syria since Turkey launched its operation.

Russia, Assad's most powerful ally, has carried out air strikes targeting Islamic State in the al-Bab area in support of both sides, underlining big shifts in the diplomatic landscape.

As relations between Russia and Turkey have improved, the two countries brokered a shaky ceasefire in December between the Syrian government and rebel groups fighting to unseat Assad.

An official from one of the Turkmen rebel brigades backed by Turkey said the presence of Russian forces could help prevent a confrontation.

"There are Russian soldiers along with the regime forces who are leading the way and that is an element that could satisfy Turkey," the rebel official said. "I don’t expect clashes."
 
U.S. forces killed 11 al Qaeda operatives in two air strikes in Syria - Pentagon
Can't recall if reported previously but 11 more AQ no longer causing a problem including a HVT:
U.S. forces killed 11 al Qaeda operatives in two air strikes near Idlib, Syria, this month, including a member with links to the late Osama bin Laden and other top leaders of the group, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.

It said a Feb. 4 strike killed Abu Hani al-Masri, who it said oversaw the creation and operation of many al Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan in the 1980s and 1990s, where he "recruited, indoctrinated, trained and equipped thousands of terrorists."

Al-Masri had ties to bin Laden and al Qaeda's current leader, Ayman al-Zawahri, the Pentagon said in a statement.

Ten al Qaeda members were killed in an air strike on a building used as a meeting place on Feb. 3, it said.
Turkish-led forces advance into outskirts of Syrian city
More on al-Bab and Turkey stating international coordination taking place so that SAA and allies do not engage FSA and TR SF. FSA CD-R mentioning 'an indirect front line' Already looking at Raqqa:
Syrian rebels backed by the Turkish military have captured the outskirts of the Islamic State-held city of al-Bab in northern Syria, the Turkish government and rebel sources said on Wednesday.

The advance threatens an important Islamic State stronghold, whose fall would deepen Turkish influence in an area of northern Syria where it has created a de facto buffer zone.

Syrian government forces have also advanced on al-Bab from the south, bringing them close to their Turkish and rebel enemies in one of the most complex battlefields of the six-year-old conflict.

But Turkey said international coordination was under way to prevent clashes with the Syrian forces.

"The al-Bab operation must be completed immediately in the period ahead ... In recent days our special forces and the Free Syrian Army (rebels) have made serious progress," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told a news conference.

In a sign of Turkish momentum and confidence, the government said its next target would be the Syrian city of Raqqa, de facto capital of the embattled Islamic State group which has also been partly dislodged from its Iraqi stronghold of Mosul.

The U.S. military, which is leading an international coalition against Islamic State, said it expected Raqqa to be "completely isolated" in the next few weeks.

COORDINATION WITH RUSSIA

Al-Bab has been a major target of a Turkish offensive launched in northern Syria last August to drive Islamic State away from the border and prevent further gains by U.S.-backed Kurdish militia that are also fighting the jihadist group. The city is just 30 km (20 miles) from the Turkish border.

A Free Syrian Army rebel commander speaking to Reuters from the southeastern outskirts of al-Bab said Syrian government planes and helicopters were visible to the west of his position, saying there was now an "indirect frontline" between the sides.

But an official in a military alliance backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said the city was being left to Turkish control, in what appeared to be part of a de facto deal with Russia, Assad's most powerful ally.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said clashes with the Syrian forces had been avoided.

"As a result of coordination between coalition forces, the Turkish air force and Russia, necessary measures are being taken to prevent any unpleasant incidents or clashes," Yildirim said.

Assad has been backed in the war by the Russian air force and an array of Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias. The Syrian army advance towards al-Bab is aimed at preventing deeper Turkish advances and safeguarding the city of Aleppo, 50 km (30 miles) to the southwest.

"PROGRESS IS FAST"

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Rebel fighters stand with their weapons on the outskirts of the northern Syrian town of al-Bab, Syria February 8, 2017.
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Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters gather during an offensive against Islamic State militants in northern Raqqa province, S...
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A Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighter carries a walkie talkie as he stands with his fellow fighters during an offensive agai...
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Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters walk with their weapons during an offensive against Islamic State militants in northern ...
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Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters walk with their weapons during an offensive against Islamic State militants in northern ...
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Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters gather during an offensive against Islamic State militants in northern Raqqa province, S...
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Rebel fighters eat while resting on the outskirts of the northern Syrian town of al-Bab, Syria February 8, 2017.
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A rebel fighter arranges shells on the outskirts of the northern Syrian town of al-Bab, Syria February 8, 2017.
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Rebel fighters gather around a pick-up truck carrying food on the outskirts of the northern Syrian town of al-Bab, Syria February 8, 2017.
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A rebel fighter stands with his weapon near a military vehicle on the outskirts of the northern Syrian town of al-Bab, Syria February 8, 2017.
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Rebel fighters stand with their weapons on the outskirts of the northern Syrian town of al-Bab, Syria February 8, 2017.
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Rebel fighters rest inside a safehouse on the outskirts of the northern Syrian town of al-Bab, Syria February 8, 2017.
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Rebel fighters stand with their weapons on the outskirts of the northern Syrian town of al-Bab, Syria February 8, 2017.
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Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters gather during an offensive against Islamic State militants in northern Raqqa province, S...
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"PROGRESS IS FAST"

The Turkish military said in a statement that 58 Islamic State militants had been killed in air strikes, artillery fire and clashes. Four Turkish soldiers had been killed and at least a dozen wounded. The advancing forces had captured strategic hilltops around al-Bab, the army said.

A Syrian rebel fighter reached by Reuters said he was speaking from inside al-Bab where he said Islamic State lines were collapsing. "Praise God, the progress is fast," he said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based organisation that reports on the war, cautioned that it was not yet clear if Islamic State had collapsed entirely in the city. It said at least six people had been killed and 12 more wounded in the latest shelling there.

The organisation says Turkish bombardment has killed scores of people since December. Turkey says it has been careful to avoid civilian casualties.

Islamic State is being fought by three separate military alliances in northern Syria, including the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces which incorporate the Kurdish YPG militia.

U.S. support for the YPG has angered Turkey, which views it as an extension of a Kurdish militia that is waging an insurgency in Turkey.

A spokesman for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey had presented a detailed plan to drive Islamic State out of Raqqa and discussions on the issue were under way.

Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told broadcaster NTV there had been better coordination with the U.S.-led coalition on air strikes in the last 10 days and Ankara's priority was to establish a safe zone between the Syrian towns of Azaz and Jarablus, which are just over the border.

The safe zone is an important goal for Ankara because it would mean that civilians displaced by the conflict could be provided for in Syria, rather than crossing into Turkey.

Turkish sources said Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed in a phone call overnight to act jointly against Islamic State in al-Bab and Raqqa.

The White House said in a statement that Trump spoke about the two countries' "shared commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms" and welcomed Turkey's contributions to the fight against Islamic State, but it gave no further details.
 
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U.S. forces killed 11 al Qaeda operatives in two air strikes in Syria - Pentagon
Can't recall if reported previously but 11 more AQ no longer causing a problem including a HVT:

Turkish-led forces advance into outskirts of Syrian city
More on al-Bab and Turkey stating international coordination taking place so that SAA and allies do not engage FSA and TR SF. FSA CD-R mentioning 'an indirect front line' Already looking at Raqqa:
The attack path for Op ES is the same as the previous failed attempts. They have regained control of the Aqil hill and hospital area.
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As for Raqqa next, I think they need to check their maps again...
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Russian air strikes accidentally kill three Turkish soldiers in Syria
Pretty sure it was a genuine mistake. Amazing, the first casualties admitted by Russia in Syria is a 'green(?) on blue':
Russian air strikes accidentally killed three Turkish soldiers and wounded 11 others during an operation against Islamic State in northern Syria on Thursday, the Turkish military said.

"During an operation by a Russia Federation warplane against Islamic State targets in the region of the Euphrates Shield operation in Syria, a bomb accidentally hit a building used by Turkish Army units," the military said in statement.

The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin had called Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan and expressed his condolences, blaming the misdirected strikes on poor coordination between Moscow and Ankara.

The incident highlighted the risk of unintended clashes between the numerous outside powers involved in Syria's complex six-year-old war. Besides Russia and Turkey, they include Lebanon's Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed militias, and members of a U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State.

Russia is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Turkey supports the rebels opposing him. In 2015, Turkey shot down a Russian air force jet that it said had crossed into Turkish airspace, though Moscow denied that happened.

The two countries have since repaired relations, and Thursday's Kremlin statement said the two leaders had agreed to step up military coordination against Islamic State.

Turkish-backed Syrian rebels meanwhile pursued a major offensive against the IS-held Syrian city of al-Bab, 30 km (20 miles) south of the border with Turkey.

A rebel commander said fighters of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), working with Turkish commanders, were moving forward from territory near the western gates of the city, which they had stormed on Wednesday.

"The battles began a short while ago to complete what had been achieved yesterday," said a commander of a leading FSA group fighting in al-Bab, who requested anonymity.

The capture of the town would deepen Turkish influence in an area of northern Syria where it has created a de facto buffer zone. It launched its Euphrates Shield operations in August, backing Syrian rebels with special forces, tanks and aircraft to sweep Islamic State from its border area and stop the advance of a Kurdish militia.

Al-Bab is a major economic hub for the militants and lies on a key crossroads for the region north of Aleppo. Syrian government forces have also advanced on it from the south, bringing them close to their Turkish and rebel enemies.

The Turkish military said on Thursday it had killed 44 militants in aerial and artillery strikes and clashes in northern Syria. Five Turkish soldiers were killed in the clashes, the private Turkish news agency Dogan said.
 
Russia halted Syrian army, rebel clash in northern Syria - sources
Looks like there has been a clash between Turkish FSA and SAA and their allies resolved by Russia:
"Later on Russia intervened to calm down the situation," said the rebel official. "This whole incident felt like a test."

A second rebel official, a commander in the al-Bab area, added: "They opened fire. Fire was returned."

Both rebel officials said an armoured vehicle had been captured from the government forces.
Kremlin says Turkey provided intel for 'friendly fire' strikes
Seems it was a mistake on the Int provided by Turkey that led to the Russian strike on their forces:
"Unfortunately, our military, while carrying out strikes on terrorists, was guided by coordinates given to them by our Turkish partners, and Turkish servicemen should not have been present on those coordinates," he told a conference call with reporters.

"It was a lack of coordination in providing coordinates, that is how I would formulate it."
 
Wrath of Euphrates: Phase 3

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They brought down 2 prongs of attack and have just linked them to create a besieged pocket. This is just like how in Phase 2 they brought down a prong and then linked it to the river to besiege a pocket there too.

Meanwhile there are numerous reports of TR shelling the west Manbij countryside.
 
After the recent rebel infighting between JFaS and AsH (and friends), the former disassociated themselves from JaA.

Around about the same time as HTS was announced, Jund al-Aqsa have rebranded themselves as Liwa al-Aqsa (LaA).

About a week ago they started fighting other rebel forces again in the northern Hama area. This has resulted in them carving out their own independent fiefdom in the area. See them marked as purple below:
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There has been a small local rebellion against AsH in Karf Nabuda, northern Hama.

A convoy of AsH and Jaish al-Nasr fighters and vehicles attempted to pass through the town to engage regime forces nearby, but they were pelted with stones and even attacked with small arms.



AMN, Civilians take up arms, chase Islamist rebels out of town in northern Hama [Videos]

There are several stories given for why they revolted. I think it's likely everyone there had there own reasons, and weren't acting as a homogeneous bloc, especially as this was apparently spontaneous and sudden.
the population in Kafr Nabuda were unhappy with the idea of reigniting hostilities in the region after several months of relative calm, thus causing a spontaneous uprising.
Several theories have emerged regarding the revolt; some suggest the civilians merely wanted to avoid retaliatory airstrikes which have plagued Kafr Nabuda in the past while others suggest locals may reconcile with the government, eventually handing over the town to the Syrian Arab Army by peaceful means.
There were casualties on both sides.
Three insurgents were killed and some 20 more injured before the rebel forces withdrew from Kafr Nabuda.

Unfortunately, scores of civilians were injured in the skirmishes and crossfire as well. The residents also captured a mortar position with its ammunitions intact and even destroyed an Ahrar al-Sham pickup truck.
 
There has been a small local rebellion against AsH in Karf Nabuda, northern Hama.

A convoy of AsH and Jaish al-Nasr fighters and vehicles attempted to pass through the town to engage regime forces nearby, but they were pelted with stones and even attacked with small arms.



AMN, Civilians take up arms, chase Islamist rebels out of town in northern Hama [Videos]

There are several stories given for why they revolted. I think it's likely everyone there had there own reasons, and weren't acting as a homogeneous bloc, especially as this was apparently spontaneous and sudden.


There were casualties on both sides.

Quite possibly the local residents are simply fed up with the war and just want it to stop.
 
OPSEC...

Kurdistan 24, VIDEO: Kurdistan24 team attacked by IS in Raqqa

“[IS] attacked us from two sides and the SDF fighters fought them with the aid of coalition air strikes,” Salih said.
The SDF fighters fought for about two hours and managed to save the media team and transport them to a safe area.
Later, an AFP reporter embedded with the team blamed one of the members for live streaming or reporting their location the night before the attack.
 
Jihadi PMC anyone?

I'm no military expert but they look like pretty sensible chaps with lashings of cash for RPG's.

The Blackwater of Jihad - F3News
I surfed into this article last night about a bunch setting themselves up as a sort SF/ training cadre for hire in Syria.
It's ripped from Foreign Policy magazine which has a paywall.
SouthFront: Crisis News, World Events, Political Survey got there first though.
Self-Proclaimed "Jihadi Consulting Firm" Operates in Syria (Photos, Videos)

Malhama Tactical
 
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