Turkey

Al-Nusra commander claims to have received support from the West via western-backed partner nations. Whether or not it’s true, it’s worth considering. It might be hogwash. But an Al-Nusra fighter tells a German reporter that, essentially, the West is behind them. But, also, ISIS and there’s more, too. There’s no doubt that Al-Nusra has a […]

The Turkish justice minister says 32,000 people have been arrested since the country’s failed coup, and more may follow. In a live interview with private broadcaster NTV on Wednesday, Bekir Bozdag said 70,000 people have been processed and 32,000 were formally arrested since the July 15 coup attempt. “There may be new arrests or releases […]

Free Syrian Army SOF, ‘Northern Thunder’ lays down suppressing fire as Turkish Special Forces execute a battlefield improvisation in order to recover a disabled medical vehicle. Turkish SOF swiftly adapts, and uses an FNSS ACV-15 (modified M113), Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle to recover a damaged Turkish Medical M113, Armored Personnel Ambulance. All while under fire from Daesh, also know as the Islamic State; if your respect terrorist enough to recognize their sovereignty.

At approximately 12:00 pm (local time), a man carrying a knife and large brown bag was shot and wounded as he tried to enter the Israeli embassy in Ankara, Turkey. Police were able to stop the man outside of the embassy but was shot in the leg when he threatened the police. His bag was searched […]

The special forces deployment comes as Washington accused Damascus of blocking aid to besieged cities and warned it will not boost military cooperation with Russia unless Moscow is able to convince President Bashar al-Assad both to halt attacks on rebel groups and allow humanitarian access.

In a bid to stem the flow of migrants, the EU struck a controversial deal with Turkey.

In exchange for political sweeteners such as visa-free access to the Schengen zone for Turkish people, Ankara agreed a ‘one-in-one-out’ system for migrants trying to cross into Greece.

Implemented in March, it is aimed at halting the mass movement of migrants into Europe by sending those who do not apply for asylum or if their claim is rejected back to Turkey.

This is a likely explanation for the meteoric rise in Turkish smugglers, as new ways are found around security measures implemented by governments, leading to ever-shifting routes.

The PKK is not affiliated with the Kurdistan Regional Government or the Peshmerga. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party or PKK (Kurdish: Partiya Karkerên Kurdistanê‎) is a far left-wing guerilla organization that operates in the mountainous border regions of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.

The combat between the PKK and Turkish army within this video demonstrates one of many longstanding conflicts in volatile proximity of the fight against, Daesh, or the Islamic State, as well as the Syrian Civil War.

Northern Syria has always been the more difficult and violent section of Syria in the civil war. Aleppo and other cities have seen the most devastation. They’ve also witnessed the most fluid situation of occupants running the gamut of groups in Syria. According to Barbara Starr, who tweeted “US Special Operations Forces in Northern Syria […]

In April, the White House authorized up to 300 Special Operations troops in Syria. According to a U.S. defense official speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing operations, the new detachment of U.S. forces with the Turks was requested by Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter and was approved by President Obama. It is unclear whether the new detachment of troops alongside the Turks will increase the overall number of Special Operations forces in Syria.

In the past, the Pentagon has insisted that the troops are not on the “front line” and have instead remained in an advisory role, helping local forces call in airstrikes and assisting them plan operations. In August, Syrian Democratic Forces backed by heavy U.S. and coalition airstrikes, took the key town of Manbij. Although no U.S. troops have been killed in Syria, several have been wounded.

U.S. Special Operation Forces are helping the Syrian Kurdish police known as Asayish in their task to provide security to the newly liberated town of Manbij.

“Nobody believes in it. You’re like, ‘Fuck this,’” a former Green Beret says of America’s covert and clandestine programs to train and arm Syrian militias. “Everyone on the ground knows they are jihadis. No one on the ground believes in this mission or this effort, and they know they are just training the next generation of jihadis, […]

There’s a chance things might get better in Syria. The Kurds are doing the heavy lifting. They protect Americans. They’re pragmatic. We owe the Kurds increased solidarity. The Kurds are like a girlfriend that never gives up on you. They very well might the best shot we have at eliminating ISIS if we openly support […]