Author: Steven Sahiounie

The second round of the Russian-Turkish taks on the situation in the Syrian province of Idlib ended in Moscow on February 18. The Turkish delegation left Russia. The sides released no official statement on the talks’ outcome hinting that no breakthrough was achieved. Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency reported the following on the agenda of the talks: According to diplomatic sources, the Turkish delegation stressed the need to rapidly reduce the fighting and prevent further worsening of the humanitarian situation in the region.Another point on the agenda include measures that could be taken in Idlib to ensure full implementation of the…

By Andrew Korybko The Chinese Foreign Minister and American Secretary of State shared contrasting visions of International Relations during their keynotes speeches at the Munich Security Conference over the weekend. Mike Pompeo preached that “the West is winning“, and by the “West”, he elaborated that he means “any nation that adopts a model of respect for individual freedom, free enterprise, national sovereignty.” This outlook divides the world into the West and non-West, into the latter of which he grouped China, Russia, and Iran. Wang Yi, meanwhile, emphasized the “need to get rid of the division of the East and the West and go…

Russia’s Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu slammed the US for occupying Syrian oilfields, calling it a major obstacle to the reconstruction of the country after the conflict. “The oil fields… are controlled by the US. There’s shameless, impudent pillage of the wealth that belongs to Syria and the Syrian people taking place,” Shoigu said during a visit to the Italian capital Rome. At the same time, the sanctions imposed by Washington against Damascus ban any oil shipments to Syria, putting the country in a tight spot. “Most of the people, who are now suffering in Syria, are in need of heat, hot…

Five civilians were injured in a car bomb blast in the Bab Musalla area in Damascus, SANA said on Tuesday. One of the victims sustained serious injuries, according to the report. A source at Damascus Police Command said that the terrorists placed an explosive device in a car. The automobile exploded while it was passing by the departures bus stop in Bab Musalla area in the Syrian capital, injuring five civilians, one of whom is in critical condition.

The situation in northern Syria remains tense since Damascus clashed with Ankara-backed militants, and later with the Turkish Army, as both sides accuse each other of breaking a ceasefire agreement. The Turkish Army has sent around 300 military vehicles to its observation points in the Syrian province of Idlib, Haberturk reported. According to the broadcaster, the military trucks, armoured vehicles, and self-propelled guns are heading to the de-escalation zone. This deployment comes after Ankara performed strikes against the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), claiming that Damascus violated a ceasefire after several Turkish servicemen died during the army’s attack at the observation point…

Although US Ambassador James Jeffrey vowed support to Turkey and underscored that Washington and Ankara’s interests in Syria and Libya overlap, that doesn’t mean the US will back its words with military action, say international political commentators, explaining why the Trump administration will not directly engage in the turmoil over Idlib. On 17 February, Russia and Turkey conducted joint military patrolling in northeastern Syria following a temporary suspension amid clashes between Syrian Arab Army personnel and Turkish troops in Idlib. Earlier, Washington threw its weight behind Ankara dispatching US Special Representative for Syria Engagement James Jeffrey to the country. Commenting on the…

Ankara previously deployed military advisors and instructors to Libya to support the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) against the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Khalifa Haftar. Ibrahim Kalin, the spokesman of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that Ankara can’t confirm claims that its vessel has been destroyed in the port of Tripoli, Libya. “The ship was fired at, but there was no hit. Multiple shots were fired in return. I can say that after this the situation calmed down,” Kalin told reporters. The statement comes hours after the Libyan National Army (LNA) said in an official statement on…

Steven Sahiounie, political commentator Last night Aleppo residents rejoiced in the streets despite the freezing cold. Men, women, and children, bundled up in winter clothes poured out into the streets to celebrate victory over the terrorists who had held their city under constant threat from the western countryside.  Those with cars drove the streets, honking horns and waving flags. The Syrian Arab Army had been advancing in the western countryside of Aleppo and declared the area free of armed terrorists. Now, all eyes are on Idlib, west of Aleppo, and the last remaining terrorist enclave in Syria.  Aleppo was one…

Ankara has accused Libyan National Army Commander Khalifa Haftar of violating the Libyan ceasefire, and has deployed troops and mercenaries to the country to shore up the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord. Abdulhadi al-Hweij, foreign minister of the Tobruk-based Libyan government, has accused Turkey of not only interfering in Libya’s internal affairs, but of seeking to conquer the North African country. “This is not interference, but aggression by Turkey. This is another attempt by Turkey to conquer Libya. We will use all available means to protect our territory and involve all Libyans,” al-Hweij said, speaking to reporters in Moscow on Monday…

Syrian government forces, backed by allied fighters from popular defense groups, are apparently riding high following the liberation of more areas from the clutches of terrorists in the northwestern province of Aleppo. Syria’s official news agency SANA reported on Friday that troops and their allies regained control over the village of Urum al-Sughra, which lies in Atarib district. Operations also continued Friday for the liberation of the town of Urum al-Kubrah and its environs. West of Aleppo in al-Rashideen 4 area, army bomb disposal units are working to spot and defuse hidden improvised explosive devices and landmines. There, a network…