Turkey Establishes New Base, Shells Syria’s Ain Issa Countryside

A Turkish soldier is seen in an armored personnel carrier (APC) at a check point near the Turkish-Syrian border in Kilis province, Turkey, January 29, 2018. (Reuters)
A Turkish soldier is seen in an armored personnel carrier (APC) at a check point near the Turkish-Syrian border in Kilis province, Turkey, January 29, 2018. (Reuters)
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Turkey Establishes New Base, Shells Syria’s Ain Issa Countryside

A Turkish soldier is seen in an armored personnel carrier (APC) at a check point near the Turkish-Syrian border in Kilis province, Turkey, January 29, 2018. (Reuters)
A Turkish soldier is seen in an armored personnel carrier (APC) at a check point near the Turkish-Syrian border in Kilis province, Turkey, January 29, 2018. (Reuters)

Turkish forces established a new military base near the Syrian town of Ain Issa in the northern Raqqa countryside, which under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Turkey also installed a number of outposts on the Aleppo-Latakia international highway (M4) and began setting a military post in al-Ghab Plain, in Hama’s western countryside, which constantly comes under attack by the regime.

It reinforced its forces at the military observation points in the northwestern Idlib province.

Meanwhile, Turkish forces and the so-called Syrian National Army factions shelled on Monday a number of positions in the Ain Issa countryside, targeting the village of Muallaq and the Khalidiyah camp.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported violent clashes between the Turkish-backed factions and SDF in western parts of Ain Issa. The factions are trying to advance in Hoshan and Khalidiyah, amid intense Turkish shelling on the M4 highway.

Elsewhere, pro-Turkish factions clashed with Manbij Military Council forces, which are affiliated with the SDF, in the western countryside of Manbij.

Russian forces had reopened the M4 for civilian and commercial use on Sunday after about a month of closure following Turkish military operations in Ain Issa.

Furthermore, Turkish forces carried out a reconnaissance operation in al-Ghab Plain where they are seeking to establish a military post in Qastoun.

Last month, the Turkish forces evacuated five out of its 12 main observation points in the de-escalation zone in northwestern Syria. They also withdrew from three main checkpoints, after being besieged by the regime forces, in agreement with Russia.

The Turkish forces withdrew from four newly established points in Idlib’s eastern countryside and the Aleppo countryside.

Several new Turkish checkpoints are still blockaded within the areas of the Syrian regime in Saraqib and Aleppo countryside near Kafr Aleppo.

The Turkish forces had established 69 observation points in the de-escalation zone. Ankara is redeploying the troops that were withdrawn from the areas besieged by the regime, while continuing to push reinforcements to the observation points in southern Idlib.

A new military convoy of 25 vehicles entered through the Kafr Lusin border crossing heading towards the Turkish positions in Jabal al-Zawiya.



Where Do the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Talks Stand?

Palestinians carry bodies of relatives killed in Israeli strike in Khan Younis on Tuesday. (AP)
Palestinians carry bodies of relatives killed in Israeli strike in Khan Younis on Tuesday. (AP)
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Where Do the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Talks Stand?

Palestinians carry bodies of relatives killed in Israeli strike in Khan Younis on Tuesday. (AP)
Palestinians carry bodies of relatives killed in Israeli strike in Khan Younis on Tuesday. (AP)

Israeli media has intensified coverage of a potential breakthrough in negotiations with Hamas aimed at securing a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which could pave the way for more serious talks on a permanent truce, according to both Israeli officials and sources within the Palestinian group.

Hamas sources confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that indirect negotiations are still underway, although no tangible progress has been achieved so far.

They described the process as “ongoing but fluctuating,” citing shifts in momentum due to regional distractions, including the Iranian-Israeli conflict, and the mediators’ engagement with other files they deem more pressing.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at possible progress, saying he might dispatch a delegation to resume negotiations and had instructed officials to push forward with talks.

Senior Hamas officials inside and outside Gaza said there have been moments of increased activity in the talks, but no major breakthrough has occurred. However, they acknowledged some progress based on “positive signals” conveyed by mediators regarding a proposal recently advanced by US envoy Steve Witkoff.

The US plan reportedly includes a 60-day ceasefire period during which Israeli hostages held by Hamas would be released in stages.

According to Hamas sources, mediators have assured the group that such a phased release would ensure Israel’s commitment to the ceasefire throughout the full duration of the truce.

Sources have not ruled out the possibility of a “serious breakthrough” in ceasefire negotiations in the coming days, but warned that any progress ultimately depends on Israel’s stance.

“The main obstacle is not just ensuring a 60-day ceasefire,” one Hamas official told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“The real issue is securing clear guarantees that serious negotiations will follow that could lead to a comprehensive agreement to end the war. Israel continues to stall on this point, and that could once again derail the entire process,” they added.

The official dismissed recent Israeli media reports claiming “significant progress” had been made, calling them “nothing but political maneuvering.”

“Everything depends on Israel,” the source told Asharq Al-Awsat. “But so far, the Netanyahu government has failed to offer any clear commitments to ending the war. What’s being circulated in the Israeli media is just part of Israel’s ongoing evasive tactics.”

Hamas sources said mediators had offered reassurances regarding the implementation of a humanitarian protocol and steps to alleviate Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis - issues the group says must be addressed alongside any ceasefire arrangement.

Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported Tuesday that unnamed regional sources have pointed to “very significant progress” in negotiations toward a potential hostage deal, which could include a ceasefire and steps to end the war in Gaza.

“The two sides have shown flexibility, but both are wary of the consequences of confronting Iran,” one source was quoted as saying. The report added that the Israeli delegation has yet to travel to Doha out of concern that doing so could slow, rather than accelerate, the pace of negotiations.

According to the newspaper, US officials recently told the families of Israeli hostages that there are “extremely positive signs” of a potential breakthrough.

However, an unnamed Israeli official cautioned that the talks cover far more than just the initial stage of releasing eight to ten living captives. “The issues at hand are much broader and relate to effectively ending the war,” the official said.

Families of the Israeli hostages have been urging the government to prioritize their release and to seize the opportunity presented by the situation with Iran to push for a resolution.