US, Russian Forces Mobilize in NE Syria

Fighters of the Syrian opposition factions loyal to Turkey during training exercises in the countryside of Manbij city in Aleppo (AFP)
Fighters of the Syrian opposition factions loyal to Turkey during training exercises in the countryside of Manbij city in Aleppo (AFP)
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US, Russian Forces Mobilize in NE Syria

Fighters of the Syrian opposition factions loyal to Turkey during training exercises in the countryside of Manbij city in Aleppo (AFP)
Fighters of the Syrian opposition factions loyal to Turkey during training exercises in the countryside of Manbij city in Aleppo (AFP)

In northeastern Syria, US and Russian forces mobilized with the aim to deter Turkey from carrying out a new attack against the Arab-Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). While US forces moved on the ground, Russian warplanes scrambled in the air.

A prominent Kurdish official in northern Syria revealed that Kurdish forces are in intensive contact with the countries involved in the Syrian crisis, especially those in the Arab world.

The official explained that they are looking to put an end to Turkish interference in Syrian affairs.

The civil and military administration in the city of Manbij in the eastern countryside of Aleppo governorate has documented the outcome of the attacks on its areas of influence, warning that the Turkish operation will lead to the displacement of the indigenous population and the city’s religious, sectarian and ethnic components.

Turkey’s armed incursion into Syrian territory “will prolong the Syrian crisis and increase its complexity, in addition to destabilizing areas and giving an opportunity for ISIS cells to reorganize themselves again,” Abdulkarim Omar, head of the Kurdish department of foreign relations, told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“We are communicating with the international community and the countries concerned with the Syrian war, especially inside the Arab world, to play a role in resolving the Syrian crisis at the expense of the growing Turkish and Iranian role,” said Omar.

“Turkey and Iran have special agendas and interests that are far from the interests of the Syrian people, their values, principles and revolution,” he explained.

Omar called on the international community to pressure Turkey to curb its attacks, warning that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's project for Syria will lead to a demographic change in the north of the country.

Turkey plans to resettle a million displaced Syrians after their voluntary return to their country.

As for field developments, a US force toured the front lines in the town of Tamer in the northern Hasakah governorate.

In contrast, the Russian army reinforced the presence of its ground and air forces at the airport of Qamishli city in Hasakah.



Israeli Fire Kills One Person, Wounds 17 in South Lebanon

Israeli tanks maneuvers inside Wadi al-Saluki, southern Lebanon, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
Israeli tanks maneuvers inside Wadi al-Saluki, southern Lebanon, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
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Israeli Fire Kills One Person, Wounds 17 in South Lebanon

Israeli tanks maneuvers inside Wadi al-Saluki, southern Lebanon, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
Israeli tanks maneuvers inside Wadi al-Saluki, southern Lebanon, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Israeli fire killed one person in the south Lebanon border village of Houla on Sunday, the Lebanese health ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said that nine people were injured in Houla, while eight others were wounded in Kfar Kila as residents sought to return to homes in the border area where Israeli forces remained on the ground.
Israel said on Friday it intended to keep troops on the ground beyond the Sunday deadline stipulated in the US-brokered ceasefire that halted last year's war with the Hezbollah. Israel did not say how long its forces would remain.
The deal stipulated that Israeli forces should withdraw from south Lebanon as Hezbollah's weapons and fighters were removed from the area and the Lebanese army deployed, within in a 60-day period which ended on Sunday morning.
Israel has said the terms had not been fully enforced by the Lebanese state, while Lebanon's military on Saturday accused Israel of procrastinating in its withdrawal.
Houla and Kfar Kila are one of dozens of border villages that the Israeli military has said residents are forbidden from returning to until further notice.