Ragıp SoyluVerified account

So, before signing off: • US forces, presumably, are still in Manbij, Deirezzour, Raqqa • Several reports claim SDF/YPG’s deal with Assad doesn’t include Deirezzour and Raqqa • And credible reports say US jets struck Assad forces in Deirezzour TONIGHT. So, what’s up?

NEW — U.S. forces in the West of Manbij blocked Assad regime forces from entering the town — according to a report by pro-Assad Al Mayadeen, citing Kurdish sources

US forces evacuated their base in Kobani, Turkish security sources tell Anadolu

Erdogan seems okay with Assad taking over below the Turkish safe zone: “[What happens] beyond the 32km deep safe zone is up to U.S. and [Assad] regime. Because regime wants to be in. We may only take steps to provide logistical support to US-led coalition”, he said today.

Spokesperson for opposition’s SNA mocks Assad regime’s reported takeover of Manbij. I’m almost sure that Turkey won’t let Manbij go that easyhttps://twitter.com/yusuf1975hamoud/status/1183459230063443970?s=21 …

NEW — Turkish artillery is shelling YPG positions in Syria’s Manbij, various local media reports say. Turkey has tried to expel YPG from Manbij since 2016. Ankara had several deals with US to work it out. All failed thanks to Pentagon efforts. Really symbolic

NEW — [Unconfirmed reports] say US-led coalition warplanes have struck Assad convoy approaching Raqqa city near Al-Mansurah, — acc to independent monitoring group Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered

“Fake news”, says the Turkish official in response to reports that Assad forces in Manbij

I cannot stress enough that NO ONE in Ankara expected that YPG/SDF would just collapse in FOUR DAYS. FOR REAL. They expected bloody urban warfare that could go on and on for days, if not weeks.

BREAKING — Assad regime forces enter Syria’s Manbij, per Al Mayadeen

Serious question: Does regime have enough manpower to take control of Manbij, Kobane and Qamishli?

A Turkish official just laughed at me when I said Assad regime would take control of Manbij and Kobane

Assad regime will also take control of Qamishli, @FerasKilaniBBC: “The main checkpoint outside #Qamishli is deserted, not even one #SDF fighter on it. It’s over, the whole dream finished, Kurdish friend told me crying.”

LATEST on Syria: • SDF/YPG made a deal with Assad regime - @Josiensor • Assad to take control of Manbij, Kobane within 48 hours (Multiple sources) • Regime is already on the move towards Manbij (Sputnik) • Erdogan doesn’t take Trump’s sanctions threats seriously

Erdogan doesn’t take Trump’s economic sanctions threats seriously. “I would like to see [these threats] as wits of the current situation”

Now Syrian Observatory also reports that Assad forces will take control of Manbij and Kobani within 48 hours. We will have to wait for the Turkish response

And apparently Erdogan told her “bugger off” in response. He openly mocked her in a presser todayhttps://twitter.com/carlnasman/status/1183393383215255552 …

Both Manbij and Kobani are in Turkey’s intended safe zone. But we are at a point that Turkey would just be okay with Assad’s presence in these two towns rather than YPG

YPG/SDF affiliated North Press Agency also says Assad regime will take control of Manbij today

Pro-Assad regime media report says Assad forces will enter Syria’s Manbij and Kobani in 48 hours. This is in line with SecDef Esper’s statement today that SDF/YPG is cutting deal with Assad and Iran to protect themselves