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SDF Accuses Turkey of Violating De-Escalation Agreements

Clock Square Roundabout in the center of Raqqa city in northern Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Clock Square Roundabout in the center of Raqqa city in northern Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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SDF Accuses Turkey of Violating De-Escalation Agreements

Clock Square Roundabout in the center of Raqqa city in northern Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Clock Square Roundabout in the center of Raqqa city in northern Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces revealed on Monday the outcome of the attacks of the Turkish army and its pro-Syrian armed factions on its areas during the first half of January 2022.

According to the released data, one civilian was killed and dozens were injured in 225 different attacks, while thousands were displaced from the countryside of Aleppo, Raqqa and Hasakeh governorates.

An SDF military official accused Turkey of violating all the international understandings and agreements concluded on the de-escalation in northeast Syria and committing many crimes against civilians.

The SDF said in a statement published on its official website on Monday that the Turkish army reconnaissance drones violated the airspace of Ain al-Arab (Kobani) city in the eastern countryside of Aleppo 20 times and the area between Kobani and Sirrin town, which overlooks the Euphrates River, four times.

The Turkish bombardment injured 12 civilians, including three children, killed one civilian, and led to the amputation of the foot of a child from Qarmough village, east of Kobani.

Head of the SDF Media Center Farhad Shami said the Turkish official media and army statements have distorted the facts to show that the civilians who were martyred and wounded were fighters in the ranks of the SDF forces and claimed they were killed during the clashes.

“Yet, the truth is that they are civilians who were injured during the barbaric Turkish bombardment.”

In late 2019, Ankara concluded de-escalation agreements in the areas east of the Euphrates with Washington and Moscow, and the Syrian parties cowed to commit to their implementation on the ground.

However, since then, the area saw military escalation and were bombed by Turkish artillery and rocket launchers from their bases in the areas of their operations “Peace Spring”, “Euphrates Shield” and “Olive Branch.” No significant field progress was made.

Turkish artillery, tank shells and rocket launchers shelled villages west of the Tal Abyad city in the northern countryside of Raqqa governorate, the statement added.

Ain Isa camp and the vicinity of M4 Highway along with eight other villages were bombarded, wounding three civilians.

“In the northern countryside of Hasakeh, 12 villages, which administratively follow Tel Tamr, were hit.

“Zarkan town and four of its villages were also shelled leaving material damage,” the statement read.

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Arab World

Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
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Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)

Israeli forces have launched their largest ground incursion into southern Lebanon since the conflict began, reaching the outskirts of the Litani River near Deirmimas.

They entered the town’s edges in an effort to separate Nabatieh from Marjayoun and prepare for an attack on the town of Taybeh from the west and north.

This move also aimed to neutralize Taybeh hill, which overlooks the Khiam plain, where Israel plans to extend its operations and capture the city of Khiam.

Lebanese media reported that Israel set up a checkpoint at the Deirmimas junction, cutting off Marjayoun from Nabatieh.

They also blocked the western entrance to Deirmimas near a fuel station using earth mounds, with Israeli military vehicles stationed there. Reports also said Israeli forces prevented UNIFIL and the Lebanese army from passing toward Marjayoun.

Lebanese sources following the battle in the south reported that Israeli forces advanced five kilometers west from the town of Kfar Kila, moving through olive groves. This advance took advantage of the absence of Hezbollah fighters in Christian areas like Qlayaa, Bir al-Muluk, and Deirmimas.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this allowed Israeli forces to reach the outskirts of the Litani River for the first time since 2006, cutting off Nabatieh from Marjayoun. Israeli artillery had previously targeted this route several times, and drones had carried out strikes there.

Israel supported its ground advance with heavy artillery fire. Lebanese security sources said Israeli artillery targeted hills overlooking Deirmimas throughout Thursday night into Friday, hitting locations like Beaufort Castle, Arnoun, Yihmour, Wadi Zawtar, and Deir Siryan.

This fire typically provides cover for infantry advances. The sources also confirmed that Israeli ground movements were backed by airstrikes and drones for added security.

They speculated the advance followed a route from Kfar Kila through Tall al-Nahas and Bir al-Muluk toward Deirmimas, which is almost empty of residents and has no Hezbollah presence.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli forces in the area, with three statements confirming the targeting of Israeli positions and vehicles near Deirmimas.

Media reports mentioned multiple rocket strikes on Israeli targets in Khiam and near Tall al-Nahas, as well as a guided missile attack on Israeli movements near oil groves close to the Marqos station at Deirmimas’ edge.

A photo shared by Lebanese media showed an Israeli tank behind an exposed hill east of Qlayaa, protected from the west and north. To the south, Israeli forces entered the town of Deirmimas, which overlooks the position.

Military expert Mustafa Asaad said the image, showing a bulldozer behind a tank at the Qlayaa-Marjayoun-Deirmimas junction, suggests that infantry units secured the area—either on foot or in fast vehicles—before entering Deirmimas.

The town’s mayor confirmed to local media that Israeli forces made a “small incursion” into Deirmimas, advancing through olive groves from Kfar Kila.

Hezbollah has stated it does not have military positions in Christian or Druze areas in southern Lebanon, as these communities oppose its presence. Sources close to Hezbollah say this is due to political reasons and security concerns.