Syria

Idlib has become a place of critical importance in terms of “proxy wars” and Syrian Leader Assad declaring his legitimacy again.

Planning to launch an operation into Idlib, the Syrian government has claimed that the US and its allies provide arms to ISIS and Al Nusra front via Ukraine and the Balkan states.

US President Donald Trump has sent a message to Iran and Russia about a possible operation to be launched in Idlib. Trump has said, “Russians and Iranians would be making a grave humanitarian mistake to take part in this potential human tragedy.”

UN Special Envoy for Syria de Mistura has warned Russia, Turkey and Iran which plan to support Syria’s operation into Idlib: “Both sides may use chemical weapon and create a perfect storm”.

US Secretary of Defense Mattis has called on PKK to leave Sinjar.

In a press conference held yesterday, Afrin Canton Democratic Autonomous Administration has announced that they decided to evacuate the civilians to avoid a massacre and that the war has moved to a new phase.

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Iran and Turkey have met in Astana one day after EP’s call on Turkey to withdraw from Afrin, and three weeks after UN’s call for ceasefire in Syria.

Eight soldiers have lost their lives and thirteen have been wounded in an armed conflict that broke out in the Kel Tepe region of rural Afrin's Hac Bilal village.

EU representative Mogherini has called on Turkey, Russia and Iran, which are the guarantors of Astana process, to take necessary steps to ensure ceasefire in Syria nationwide.

Spokesperson for the US-led coalition to fight ISIS, Colonel Ryan Dillon has said that, "the latest activities in Afrin have been a distraction". "This is concerning for the coalition," said Dillon and added, "We don't want independent operations."

The United Nations Security Council has voted for a month-long "humanitarian pause" in Syria. Authorities from Turkey say ceasefire decision will not affect Afrin operation.

YPG has announced they will keep with the UN Security Council’s “humanitarian pause” resolution throughout Syria. Speaking on the Afrin offensive, they have said that “the right to self-defense will be exercised”.

İbrahim Kalın has stated that as one of three guarantor states, Turkey’s messages are conveyed to Damascus indirectly but not direct dialogue exists between the two regimes and added: “contact can be made to solve certain problems”.

President Erdoğan tackled the Afrin issue with Russia President Putin and Iran President Rouhani yesterday (February 19). The telephone calls were said to have emphasized the Astana process.

Concerning the reports indicating that Syrian army would enter Afrin, Minister of Foreign Affairs Çavuşoğlu has said, “If the [Syrian] regime enters [Afrin] to eliminate the YPG, there is no problem. However, if it is heading there to protect the YPG, then no one can stop us”.

Reuters citing a Kurdish official has reported that Syrian government coming to terms with the YPG will be deployed in critical positions near Afrin border.

Syrian regime has installed new air defense systems in Aleppo and Idlib. As attack on observation post of Turkey in al-Eis jeopardizes the de-conflict zone, Pentagon reiterated that they won’t withdraw from Manbij.

Four missiles launched from Syria hit Reyhanlı district in Hatay, killing one person and wounding 32 others. Another missile was fired on Kilis last night.

Spokesperson for the US State Department Nauert has reiterated her statement that “We are not building a border force” and called for Turkey not to attack Afrin.

US Secretary of State Tillerson and Spokesperson for the Pentagon Pahon have said that they will not build “Border Security Force” under the commandership of the SDF.