Published Via Omran on February 16, 2018
The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) captured several locations in the western region of Afrin from the YPG/YPJ, and reports later emerged of additional troop and equipment deployments west of the Jandaris district, suggesting a forthcoming offensive. In response, pro-YPG sources claimed that Kurdish forces had repelled Turkish attacks in the districts of Rajo and Bulbul, reportedly killing more than 20 Turkish-backed fighters. On February 5, a significant Kurdish military convoy arrived in the Afrin region to bolster the YPG in its conflict against the Turks. This development raised several issues: the convoy, which departed Manbij with 36 vehicles, increased to 41 by the time it reached Afrin, indicating that five extra vehicles had joined from areas under pro-Iran forces’ control. After entering Afrin through a checkpoint in Nubl and Zahraa—also controlled by pro-Iran forces—multiple Iranian weapons were observed with the Kurdish forces, suggesting deeper involvement and support.
Syrian regime and pro-Iran forces, alongside US-backed forces, are reportedly gathering and strengthening their positions in the Euphrates region, with both pro-opposition and pro-government sources indicating preparations for potential skirmishes. On February 10, Israeli airstrikes significantly impacted the Syrian regime’s air defenses, destroying nearly half of them, as reported by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz on February 14, citing "senior Israeli Defense Forces officials." Although an Israeli F-16 was shot down during the operation, Israeli officials still deemed the mission successful.
February 12: AnIsraeli military official said that an Iranian drone shot down 10 February 2018, ago was based on a US stealth RQ-170 UAV, which was captured by Iran in 2011. Iran started production of this drone in 2016.
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