Kurdish Forces Tell Syrian Army in Hassakeh to Surrender or Die

The past week has seen the most violent confrontations between the Syrian government and Kurdish forces in more than five years of war, Reuters reported.

The Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) militia launched an offensive early Monday morning to capture the last parts of Hassakeh city still controlled by the government.

Last week, the YPG released a statement that they would hold the government accountable after regime planes bombed Hassakeh province for the first time on Thursday. The U.S.-led coalition, who heavily rely on YPG forces in their fight against the so-called Islamic State (ISIS), quickly sent aircraft to protect U.S. special operations ground forces operating nearby.

“The Syrian regime would be well advised not to interfere with coalition forces or its partners,” a Pentagon spokesman said. However, Syrian warplanes continued to fly over Hassakeh on Saturday, in the closest risk of aerial confrontation yet between Syria and the U.S., the Telegraph reported.

The YPG-affiliated security units, Asayish, was accused of violating a cease-fire by Syrian state media. Using loudspeakers and leaflets, YPG forces said there was no cease-fire, and called on all government forces in Hassakeh to surrender or else be killed.

“To all the elements of the regime and its militias who are besieged in the city, you are targeted by our units,” the YPG said. “This battle is decided and we will not retreat … We call on you to give up your weapons or count yourselves dead.”

Turkey Supports Syrian Rebels to Attack Islamic State from Within Turkish Borders

Syrian rebels are planning to attack the so-called Islamic State’s last important town on the Turkish border from within Turkey, Reuters reported.

Rebels from Idlib province and the northern Aleppo suburbs are reportedly gathering in a military camp in the Turkish town of Qarqamish, opposite the ISIS-held town of Jarablus in Syria.

Located on the western bank of the Euphrates river, Jarablus is 20 miles (32km) north of Manbij, a town that a U.S.-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), recently took from ISIS.

Turkey is supporting rebels to take Jarablus before the SDF are able to launch an attack there. The Jarablus military council, a group aligned with the SDF, called on the U.S.-led coalition for support, saying Turkey is supporting extremist factions.

Turkish prime minister Binali Yildirim announced on Saturday that Turkey will be more involved in the Syrian conflict in the next six months.

“This means to not allow Syria to be divided on any ethnic base; for Turkey this is crucial,” Yildirim said.

Ankara aims to thwart Kurdish ambitions to expand, fearing Kurdish groups in Turkey will be inspired by their counterparts in Syria, the Telegraph reported. Yildirm also said Turkey is ready for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to be part of an interim leadership in Syria, despite backing the rebels fighting Mr. Assad.

More Than 500 Civilians Killed in Syria in One Week

At least 508 civilians were killed in one week across Syria including 96 children, Al Jazeera reported.

Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, is the scene of some of the most intense fighting in the war-torn country. Increased Russian and Syrian airstrikes on opposition-controlled districts of Aleppo city killed at least 205 civilians between August 13 and August 19, after rebels advanced on government positions there. Mines left behind by ISIS in the town of Manbij caused reported deaths, as well.

Recommended Reads:

• The Daily Beast: Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton Are Both Missing a Syria Plan
• The New York Times: Syria’s Horrors Visit Turkey Again as Bomber Attacks Kurdish Wedding
• The Guardian: Brother of Syrian Boy Pulled from Aleppo Rubble Dies in Hospital
• The Washington Post: U.S. Jets Scramble as Syrians Bomb Near American Forces
• NOW: South Syria Rebels Ordered to Not Attack Regime-Held Town: Report