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On 13 October, SDF forces launched a [[counteroffensive]], pushing back Turkish military and recapturing key points of the town, including the industrial district.<ref>"Kurdish Forces Recapture Large Parts of Ras Al Ayn Kill Many Turkish Back Militants" Southfront https://southfront.org/kurdish-forces-recapture-large-parts-of-ras-al-ayn-kill-many-turkish-back-militants/</ref><ref>"kurdish-led-forces-retake-most-of-key-city-in-northern-syria" Almar News 2019-10-13 https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/kurdish-led-forces-retake-most-of-key-city-in-northern-syria/</ref> By 15 October, the SDF had fully recaptured the town, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and other sources.<ref>"Syrian-Observatory-SDF-captures-Syria-s-Ras-al-Ain" http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2019/10/15/Syrian-Observatory-SDF-captures-Syria-s-Ras-al-Ain-.html</ref> The Kurdish forces also retook some of the nearby M4 motorway. SDF had prepared extensive tunnels under Ras al Ayn, and used them to launch attacks on TFSA militia in the town.<ref>Lara Seligman Foreign Policy "syrian-kurdish-fighters-mount-counterattack-turkish-sdf-network-of-tunnels" https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/10/15/syrian-kurdish-fighters-mount-counterattack-turkish-sdf-network-of-tunnels/</ref>. TFSA units managed to continue their operation, capturing a large part of the centre of the town, following heavy bombardment of the town, and airstrikes <ref>"Intense Airstrikes Propel Turkish Advance in Ras Al ayn" Southfront Org 17.10.2019 https://southfront.org/intense-airstrikes-propel-turkish-advance-in-ras-al-ayn/</ref>
On 13 October, SDF forces launched a [[counteroffensive]], pushing back Turkish military and recapturing key points of the town, including the industrial district.<ref>"Kurdish Forces Recapture Large Parts of Ras Al Ayn Kill Many Turkish Back Militants" Southfront https://southfront.org/kurdish-forces-recapture-large-parts-of-ras-al-ayn-kill-many-turkish-back-militants/</ref><ref>"kurdish-led-forces-retake-most-of-key-city-in-northern-syria" Almar News 2019-10-13 https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/kurdish-led-forces-retake-most-of-key-city-in-northern-syria/</ref> By 15 October, the SDF had fully recaptured the town, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and other sources.<ref>"Syrian-Observatory-SDF-captures-Syria-s-Ras-al-Ain" http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2019/10/15/Syrian-Observatory-SDF-captures-Syria-s-Ras-al-Ain-.html</ref> The Kurdish forces also retook some of the nearby M4 motorway. SDF had prepared extensive tunnels under Ras al Ayn, and used them to launch attacks on TFSA militia in the town.<ref>Lara Seligman Foreign Policy "syrian-kurdish-fighters-mount-counterattack-turkish-sdf-network-of-tunnels" https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/10/15/syrian-kurdish-fighters-mount-counterattack-turkish-sdf-network-of-tunnels/</ref>. TFSA units managed to continue their operation, capturing a large part of the centre of the town, following heavy bombardment of the town, and airstrikes <ref>"Intense Airstrikes Propel Turkish Advance in Ras Al ayn" Southfront Org 17.10.2019 https://southfront.org/intense-airstrikes-propel-turkish-advance-in-ras-al-ayn/</ref>


On the 17th of October, The US government and Turkey agreed on a deal for the Turkish army to halt attacks, and for the Kurds to withdraw from the 30 mile safe-zone on the [[Turkish]] [[border]]. This is the majority of the areas where the Kurdish population lives, and while accepting the [[ceasefire]], the Kurds rejected withdrawing from the area and handing it over to Turkey as "occupation" <ref>Bethan McKernan, Julian Borger Fri 18 Oct 2019 "Us Delegation seeks syria ceasefire after trump undercuts mission Turkey Mike Pence "The Guardian" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/17/us-delegation-seeks-syria-ceasefire-after-trump-undercuts-mission-turkey-mike-pence </ref>Kurdish forces fighting in the safezone, including Ras al-ayn had not been consulted and refused, as it was their land. Some Kurds speaking to the media called it an insult. The SDF observed the ceasefire in some areas, however in Ras al-Ayn and a few other areas, the SDF continued to fight the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army. Turkey claimed to have stopped attacking Ras Al-ayn as part of the ceasefire, but reports indicated that there was a continual artillery bombardment and small arms attacks throughout the ceasefire. <ref> Kareem Fahim, Sarah Dadouch and Asser Khattab "Despite Cease Fire Fighting Continues in Syrian Border Town" The Sentinel Source 19/10/19 https://www.sentinelsource.com/news/national_world/despite-cease-fire-fighting-continues-in-syrian-border-town/article_f75cfd32-9339-5d5b-9d44-82ff352490f8.html</ref> At this stage, the town was virtually surrounded by Turkish allied militia, with Red Crescent ambulances reporting they could not reach the town to evacuate the wounded SDF fighters.<ref>"The Latest: Reports of fighting despite Syria Cease Fire" The Sacremento Bee October 18, 2019 https://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/article236396868.html</ref>
On the 17th of October, The US government and Turkey agreed on a deal for the Turkish army to halt attacks, and for the Kurds to withdraw from the 30 mile safe-zone on the [[Turkish]] [[border]]. This is the majority of the areas where the Kurdish population lives, and while accepting the [[ceasefire]], the Kurds rejected withdrawing from the area and handing it over to Turkey as "occupation" <ref>Bethan McKernan, Julian Borger Fri 18 Oct 2019 "Us Delegation seeks syria ceasefire after trump undercuts mission Turkey Mike Pence "The Guardian" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/17/us-delegation-seeks-syria-ceasefire-after-trump-undercuts-mission-turkey-mike-pence </ref>Kurdish forces fighting in the safezone, including Ras al-ayn had not been consulted and refused, as it was their land. Some Kurds speaking to the media called it an insult. The SDF observed the ceasefire in some areas, however in Ras al-Ayn and a few other areas, the SDF continued to fight the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army. Turkey claimed to have stopped attacking Ras Al-ayn as part of the ceasefire, but reports indicated that there was a continual artillery bombardment and small arms attacks throughout the ceasefire. <ref> Kareem Fahim, Sarah Dadouch and Asser Khattab "Despite Cease Fire Fighting Continues in Syrian Border Town" The Sentinel Source 19/10/19 https://www.sentinelsource.com/news/national_world/despite-cease-fire-fighting-continues-in-syrian-border-town/article_f75cfd32-9339-5d5b-9d44-82ff352490f8.html</ref> At this stage, the town was surrounded by Turkish allied militia, the TFSA having completed the surrounding of the town just before the start of the ceasefore. Red Crescent ambulances reported they could not reach the town to evacuate the wounded SDF fighters.<ref>"The Latest: Reports of fighting despite Syria Cease Fire" The Sacremento Bee October 18, 2019 https://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/article236396868.html</ref>. Turkey and the SDF blamed each other for the ceasefire violations, with the SDF complaining the that town was surrounded during the ceasefire and wounded could not be evacuated. On the 18th of October, a large [[convoy]] of 80 cars and 400 civilians, including people who had from travelled Derik, Qamishlo, Til Temir and Heseke, attempted to get to Ras al Ayn from Til Temri to provide [[humanitarian]] aid. It was turned back by TFSA soldiers.
On the 18th of October, a large [[convoy]] of 80 cars and 400 civilians, including people who had from travelled Derik, Qamishlo, Til Temir and Heseke, attempted to get to Ras al Ayn from Til Temri to provide [[humanitarian]] aid. It was turned back by TFSA soldiers.


Syrian Arab Army units for the first time confronted the TFSA units near Ras Al-Rayn, with speculation by the media that the could join the combat on the SDF side and the seige of the city by the TFSA. The TFSA has attempted to advance into Syrian Arab Army-held areas in the Tal Tamr District of the Al-Hasakah Governorate, and the Syrian Arab Army responded. <ref>"Breaking: Turkish backed militants attack Syrian Army Near Border City In New Bid To Advance" https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-turkish-backed-militants-attack-syrian-army-near-border-city-in-new-bid-to-advance/</ref>
Syrian Arab Army units for the first time confronted the TFSA units near Ras Al-Rayn, with speculation by the media that the could join the combat on the SDF side and the seige of the city by the TFSA. The TFSA has attempted to advance into Syrian Arab Army-held areas in the Tal Tamr District of the Al-Hasakah Governorate, and the Syrian Arab Army responded. <ref>"Breaking: Turkish backed militants attack Syrian Army Near Border City In New Bid To Advance" https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-turkish-backed-militants-attack-syrian-army-near-border-city-in-new-bid-to-advance/</ref>

Revision as of 11:30, 19 October 2019

Battle of Ras al-Ayn
Part of the 2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria of the Syrian Civil War and the Kurdish–Turkish conflict (2015–present)
Date9 October – Ongoing
Location
Ras al-Ayn, Syria

The second Battle of Ras al-Ayn is an ongoing battle in the Syrian Civil War between Turkish Armed Forces, Turkish Free Syrian Army militia and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)

Background

Following the announcement of a US troop withdrawal by President Trump, and the confirmation to Turkey that US troops would not stop a Turkish invasion,[1] Turkey made moves to invade Syria via the North East, in an effort to enforce a 30 kilometer safe zone, and attack Kurdish forces in the area, who they claimed to be terrorists threatening Turkey. The announcement of the withdrawal of US troops on 7 October came as a surprise to the SDF, however they were somewhat prepared for an invasion, despite the fact that the US had removed fortifications they had built, in order to meet Turkish demands about the enforcement of a safe zone. Turkish forces had removed concrete barriers on the Turkish Syrian border, and were built up in numbers, waiting to attack. Turkish forces, and their allied Turkish Free Syrian Army forces (also referred as Syrian National Army) crossed into Syria on 9 October.[2][3] There was large international condemnation of this incursion, and a number of European countries halted arms exports to Turkey in protest.

Initial movements

Small forward troops crossed into Turkey, moving close to Ras Al-Ayn and Tal Abyad on 9 October.[4] The town was initially attacked by artillery and aerial bombing by the Turkish Air Force, which resulted in some of the civilian population fleeing the area, heading south.[5] Reinforced Turkish units proceeded to move towards the town and Tal Abyad.

Turkish forces move into Ras al-Ayn

On 12 October, more substantive Turkish forces attacked the town, moving into it, with some indications that Turkish forces had moved into the center of the town. At the same time, the SDF did a tactical retreat, pulling back before the Turkish forces in response to a Turkish artillery bombardment of their areas. Clashes continued in the Industrial district.[6] The Kurdish politician and secretary general of the Future Syria Party, Hervin Khalaf and a number of unarmed civilians were executed outside the town, caught on a road, by the TFSA.[7] Turkish troops continued to move into the town, gaining control of the Ras al-Ayn's residential center, with some Turkish media sources claiming that the town had been completely captured. However, SDF troops showed video of themselves still in the town, continuing to engage the Turkish forces.[8] Turkish troops continued to gain control of more areas around the town, including adjacent villages, and the M4 motorway, while fighting continued inside areas of the town itself, with the SDF continuing to resist.[9]

On 13 October, SDF forces launched a counteroffensive, pushing back Turkish military and recapturing key points of the town, including the industrial district.[10][11] By 15 October, the SDF had fully recaptured the town, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and other sources.[12] The Kurdish forces also retook some of the nearby M4 motorway. SDF had prepared extensive tunnels under Ras al Ayn, and used them to launch attacks on TFSA militia in the town.[13]. TFSA units managed to continue their operation, capturing a large part of the centre of the town, following heavy bombardment of the town, and airstrikes [14]

On the 17th of October, The US government and Turkey agreed on a deal for the Turkish army to halt attacks, and for the Kurds to withdraw from the 30 mile safe-zone on the Turkish border. This is the majority of the areas where the Kurdish population lives, and while accepting the ceasefire, the Kurds rejected withdrawing from the area and handing it over to Turkey as "occupation" [15]Kurdish forces fighting in the safezone, including Ras al-ayn had not been consulted and refused, as it was their land. Some Kurds speaking to the media called it an insult. The SDF observed the ceasefire in some areas, however in Ras al-Ayn and a few other areas, the SDF continued to fight the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army. Turkey claimed to have stopped attacking Ras Al-ayn as part of the ceasefire, but reports indicated that there was a continual artillery bombardment and small arms attacks throughout the ceasefire. [16] At this stage, the town was surrounded by Turkish allied militia, the TFSA having completed the surrounding of the town just before the start of the ceasefore. Red Crescent ambulances reported they could not reach the town to evacuate the wounded SDF fighters.[17]. Turkey and the SDF blamed each other for the ceasefire violations, with the SDF complaining the that town was surrounded during the ceasefire and wounded could not be evacuated. On the 18th of October, a large convoy of 80 cars and 400 civilians, including people who had from travelled Derik, Qamishlo, Til Temir and Heseke, attempted to get to Ras al Ayn from Til Temri to provide humanitarian aid. It was turned back by TFSA soldiers.

Syrian Arab Army units for the first time confronted the TFSA units near Ras Al-Rayn, with speculation by the media that the could join the combat on the SDF side and the seige of the city by the TFSA. The TFSA has attempted to advance into Syrian Arab Army-held areas in the Tal Tamr District of the Al-Hasakah Governorate, and the Syrian Arab Army responded. [18]

References

  1. ^ Jen Kirby "trump-syria-turkey-erdogan-invasion-kurds" VOX Oct 8, 2019 https://www.vox.com/2019/10/7/20902699/trump-syria-turkey-erdogan-invasion-kurds
  2. ^ "turkey-invades-syria-in-land-offensive-against-kurdish-militia" Australian Broadcasting Commission 10 Oct 2019 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-10/turkey-invades-syria-in-land-offensive-against-kurdish-militia/11584084
  3. ^ Helen Regan and Bianca Britton "Syria Turkey Invasion" CNN October 10, 2019 https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/09/politics/syria-turkey-invasion-intl-hnk/index.html
  4. ^ Selcan Hacaoglu and Onur Ant October 9, 2019 "Turkey says its military will cross syrian border shortly" Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-09/turkey-says-its-military-will-cross-syrian-border-shortly
  5. ^ Laura Pitel "turkey-launches-offensive-in-northeast-syria" Irish Times Wed, Oct 9, 2019 https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/middle-east/turkey-launches-offensive-in-northeast-syria-1.4045184
  6. ^ Orhan Coskun, Tom Perry "Turkish forces intensify bombardment around syrian town" Reuters October 12 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-usa/turkish-forces-intensify-bombardment-around-syrian-town-idUSKBN1WR04D
  7. ^ Orhan Coskun, Tom Perry "Turkish forces intensify bombardment around Syrian town" Reuters October 12 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-usa/turkish-forces-intensify-bombardment-around-syrian-town-idUSKBN1WR04D
  8. ^ turkey-syria-assault-forces-capture-key-border-town-as-troops-push-further-into-syria CBS News https://www.cbsnews.com/news/turkey-syria-assault-forces-capture-key-border-town-as-troops-push-further-into-syria-today-2019-10-12/
  9. ^ "Violent battles continue in areas in Ras Al-Ayn city and its countryside and in the vicinity of Tal Abyad city in conjunction with heavy ground shelling witnessed in the area" Syrian Human rights 14/10/2019http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=143884
  10. ^ "Kurdish Forces Recapture Large Parts of Ras Al Ayn Kill Many Turkish Back Militants" Southfront https://southfront.org/kurdish-forces-recapture-large-parts-of-ras-al-ayn-kill-many-turkish-back-militants/
  11. ^ "kurdish-led-forces-retake-most-of-key-city-in-northern-syria" Almar News 2019-10-13 https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/kurdish-led-forces-retake-most-of-key-city-in-northern-syria/
  12. ^ "Syrian-Observatory-SDF-captures-Syria-s-Ras-al-Ain" http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2019/10/15/Syrian-Observatory-SDF-captures-Syria-s-Ras-al-Ain-.html
  13. ^ Lara Seligman Foreign Policy "syrian-kurdish-fighters-mount-counterattack-turkish-sdf-network-of-tunnels" https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/10/15/syrian-kurdish-fighters-mount-counterattack-turkish-sdf-network-of-tunnels/
  14. ^ "Intense Airstrikes Propel Turkish Advance in Ras Al ayn" Southfront Org 17.10.2019 https://southfront.org/intense-airstrikes-propel-turkish-advance-in-ras-al-ayn/
  15. ^ Bethan McKernan, Julian Borger Fri 18 Oct 2019 "Us Delegation seeks syria ceasefire after trump undercuts mission Turkey Mike Pence "The Guardian" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/17/us-delegation-seeks-syria-ceasefire-after-trump-undercuts-mission-turkey-mike-pence
  16. ^ Kareem Fahim, Sarah Dadouch and Asser Khattab "Despite Cease Fire Fighting Continues in Syrian Border Town" The Sentinel Source 19/10/19 https://www.sentinelsource.com/news/national_world/despite-cease-fire-fighting-continues-in-syrian-border-town/article_f75cfd32-9339-5d5b-9d44-82ff352490f8.html
  17. ^ "The Latest: Reports of fighting despite Syria Cease Fire" The Sacremento Bee October 18, 2019 https://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/article236396868.html
  18. ^ "Breaking: Turkish backed militants attack Syrian Army Near Border City In New Bid To Advance" https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-turkish-backed-militants-attack-syrian-army-near-border-city-in-new-bid-to-advance/
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