MESOP NEWS „PROTEST!“ : PUTIN BOMBS PKK/PYD-SDF FORCES IN SYRIA (ROJAVA) – Claim — Russia Bombs Kurds-Led SDF for 2nd Time Near Deir ez-Zor

By  Scott Lucas – September 26, 2017 – eaworldview – Russia has reportedly struck Kurdish-led forces near Deir ez-Zor city in eastern Syria for the second time in just over a week.The Syrian Democratic Forces said Russian warplanes bombed positions on Monday, killing one fighter and injuring two. The SDF, led by the Kurdish militia YPG, said it had responded without specifying the nature or target of its counter-attack.The SDF and Pentagon reported the first Russian strike on September 16, with six fighters wounded.

As with the first incident, Russia’s Defense Ministry issued a denial. Major Gen. Igor Konashenkov insisted that Russia is always careful to ensure accurate air strikes.The Baghdad-based spokesman for the US-led coalition, Colonel Ryan Dillon, said rounds fell in the area around the SDF, but could not confirm that they were fired by Russia.

The prospect of a battle between pro-Assad forces, supported by Russian airpower, and the SDF has risen with both sides pushing back ISIS in Deir ez-Zor Province this month. The pro-Assad offensive is now in western sections of Deir ez-Zor city and to the south, while the SDF has closed from the north and east.The SDF has accused the regime military and its foreign allies of firing across the Euphrates River. Defying the Kurdish-led forces, the pro-Assad offensive has carried out a crossing of the river to the eastern bank.Bouthaina Shaaban, a senior advisor to Bashar al-Assad, has said that there will eventually be a confrontation with the SDF, whom she linked to enemies such as ISIS. The SDF responded last weekend with the declaration of a Deir ez-Zor provincial council of 100 tribal leaders. Their troops also captured a major gasfield, beating the pro-Assad advance to the destination.