MESOP TODAY’S SYRIA UPDATE / YPG (PYD-PKK) DECISION TO SUPPORT ASSAD FORCES

by: Jennifer Cafarella and Christopher Kozak (ISW) – Key Takeaways: Jabhat al-Nusra and Rebel Forces Attack Regime Hold-Out in Northern Aleppo: JN and rebel forces attacked regime and Hezbollah forces in the heavily-fortified Shi’a towns of Nubl and Zahra northwest of Aleppo City. This attack was likely intended to free up an alternate supply route to rebels in Aleppo City. If successful, the operation could serve to counteract a recent increase in regime pressure on a rebel primary supply line through Handarat in the northeastern outskirts of Aleppo City. The YPG’s decision to support the regime in the defense of Nubul and Zahra increases the likelihood of a rumored JN offensive against the Afrin canton, allegedly the location of JN and ISIS negotiations in Aleppo.

Jabhat al-Nusra Faces Protest in Idlib Province: The eruption of local civilian protests against JN in Southern Idlib Province may lead JN to reduce its aggression against local commanders and remaining Syrian Revolutionaries Front (SRF) members after JN ousted the SRF and Harakat Hazm from the area. Nonetheless, JN continues to formally implement Shari’a law in the province and has not faced meaningful resistance in response to its overt governance activities.