MESOP SITUATION REPORT HASAKAH : Kurds Advancing versus Regime (II)

Kurdish Concern Over Rebel Attack on ISIS-Held Town of Jarablus

22 Aug 2016 – Meanwhile, Kurdish officials expressed concerns over reports of a rebel offensive to take the ISIS-held town of Jarablus, located on the Turkish border in north-central Syria. The concerns were framed by the Kurdish “Military Council of Jarablus” as a warning that Turkey might reach agreement with the Islamic State to occupy the town. They allowed huge numbers of ISIS militants through the border, to hit the stability in Syria. Turkey is also trying to activate terrorist groups like Al Qa’eda in Syria, which are celebrating the beheading of children in Aleppo….

We in the military council of Jarablus warn the Turkish government for its aggressive actions. We stress we will not stand idle towards such hostile acts.

We call on the US-led coalition to abide by its pledges to protect our region from the entry of Turkish forces, and its attempts to occupy Syria and hit the gains of our people.

Attention to Jarablus has risen since the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces defeated the Islamic State in the city of Manbij, to the south, earlier this month. Observers have foreseen a race between rebels and the SDF to reach Jarablus, considered an essential crossing point between Turkey and Syria.

Ankara reportedly encouraged Free Syrian Army units to move towards the town. Last week, FSA troops took the town of al-Rai, 54 km (34 miles) west of Jarablus, from the Islamic State.A “senior rebel official” said last weekend that FSA forces are gathering in Turkey to cross the border in an offensive. www.mesop.de