The Turkish-backed FSA, known as the Syrian National Army (SNA), captured Manbij, which is occupied by the U.S.-backed PKK/YPG. Meanwhile, the Israeli army mobilized to take full control of the buffer zone in the Golan Heights.
The lightning advance of the organization’s led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and their entry into the capital Damascus was one of the most important turning points in the Middle East in decades.
There have been reports of looting as well as celebrations following the departure of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. Organizations are releasing prisoners from Syrian jails.
But while hopes for a relatively ‘bloodless’ transition have been raised in the capital with Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali’s declaration that he is ready to ‘cooperate’ with any popularly elected leader and ‘hand over’ power, military mobilization continues in the north and south of the country.
This morning the SNA, backed by Turkey, advanced from the town of Ureyme to the west of Manbij and the village of Um Dadat to the north, as well as from the northern and western lines of the town, driving the PKK/YPG out of the area. The YPG thus lost its main stronghold west of the Euphrates. Search and sweep operations for mines and booby traps are reportedly underway in the area.
On the first day of the operation, launched on 1 December, the SNA pushed the PKK/YPG out of Tel Rifaat district center.
West of the Euphrates, Arab tribes from Deir ez-Zor began to push back the PKK/YPG. The tribes expelled the PKK/YPG from the Albukamal and Mayadeen neighborhoods on the Iraqi-Syrian border in Deir ez-Zor. The terrorist organization had entered these areas after the withdrawal of the Syrian army.
Israel seizes the opportunity
Meanwhile, in southern Syria, Israel has entered Sheikh Mountain on the Syrian side of the occupied Golan Heights. Israeli aircraft continue to strike targets in Syria.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar gave the press an assessment of the agenda, particularly the developments in Syria.
Sa’ar, who tried to legitimize the Israeli army’s attacks on Syria, made the following statements Our only interest is the security of Israel and its citizens. That is why we attacked strategic weapons systems, such as chemical weapons or long-range missiles and rockets, which remain ‘so that they do not fall into the hands of extremists’.
Sa’ar claimed that the Israeli army’s seizure of the buffer zone in the occupied Golan Heights, under the pretext of developments in Syria, was a ‘limited and temporary step’.
Saar also expressed his dissatisfaction with the SDF’s operation against the terrorist organization in Manbij, demanding that this operation be ‘stopped’.
Saar stated that they had discussed the operation organized in Manbij with many countries, especially the U.S.
The Israeli minister claimed that the international community has an obligation towards the PKK/YPG terrorist organization, which he said ‘ensures stability’ in Syria.
Turkey, U.S. in full engagement
On the other hand, a U.S. official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, said Turkey and the U.S. were in full engagement in the process.
In this context, U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Bill Burns and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held meetings with their Turkish counterparts, the official said, adding that these meetings had constructive effects.
On U.S. relations with HTS, the official said it was clear that the group would play an important role in the Syrian transition.
The official stated that the U.S. relationship with HTS will be conducted in an appropriate manner by putting ‘U.S. interests’ first, noting that it will be important to see how the rhetoric of HTS officials is translated into action.
In addition, U.S. President Joe Biden, assessing the collapse of the Syrian government, said that this development was ‘a direct result of the blows that Ukraine and Israel dealt’ to Russia, Hamas, and Hezbollah ‘with the unstinting support of the United States’.
“For many years, Assad’s main supporters have been Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia, but in the last week that support has collapsed because all three are in a much weaker position than when I took over,” Biden said at a press conference on developments in Syria. Biden argued that Iran had been weakened by U.S. and Israeli strikes, and Russia by Ukraine’s strong stance, so that these countries no longer had the power to support the ‘terrible Assad regime’.
Our approach has changed the balance of power in the Middle East through a combination of support for our partners, sanctions and diplomacy, and targeted military force when necessary. Now we see new opportunities for the Syrian people and the wider region.
“We will work with our partners and stakeholders in Syria to seize the opportunities and manage the risks of Syria’s transition,” Biden said.
Biden stressed that stability and U.S. personnel would continue to be maintained in eastern Syria and that the mission against ISIS would be maintained.
