Jabhet al-Nusra shows its strength in Idlib

NEWS DESK

The Arab newspapers published on Thursday a number of important topics in the area, namely about the military parade of Jabhet al-Nusra gangs in Idlib province and the Turkish attacks on northern Syria.

Al-Hayat: Jabhet al-Nusra shows its military training in West Idlib

In the context of the Syrian press, the Arab newspapers touched on Thursday upon the situation in the province of Idlib. In this context, al-Hayat newspaper reported that amid the continued violation of the Russian-Turkish agreement on dealing with the city of Idlib and its surroundings (north-west of Syria), Jabhet al-Nusra conducted military parade in the western countryside of Idlib which appeared to be a demonstration of its strength in the area.

Jabhet al-Nusra has posted on its official accounts on the internet pictures of military parade conducted by its "Elite Forces" after 10 days of similar exercise carried out in the southern countryside of the province. The pictures have shown Jabhet al-Nusra using heavy weapons, including tanks and light weapons such as the machine guns and medium machine guns. Jabhet al-Nusra did not specify the area in which the exercises were held whether in the demilitarized zone agreed on between Russia and Turkey or outside it, but local sources suggested that the exercise carried out in the area of Jabal al-Zawia in Idlib countryside.

Al-Sharq Al-Awsat: US envoy: Iran must withdraw fully from Syria

As for the Iranian presence in Syria, the US envoy to Syria, the ambassador James Jeffrey, renewed his call on Iran to withdraw all its forces from all of Syria, stressing the intention of Washington to put pressure on Tehran and work to confront Iran's activities in the area, including Syria.

Jeffrey said in a telephone talk with a number of Journalists on Wednesday that the US policy towards Syria is a key component of the President Donald Trump's approach in the Middle East area which includes confronting Iran and defeating of IS, and it gained dynamism when Trump told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Helsinki in July that the US forces remain in Syria for a long time to achieve three goals, namely eliminating IS gangs, ensuring its non-return and reaching a political solution in addition to the formation of a constitutional committee under resolution 2254 and the exit of all Iranian forces, that Iran is part of the problem and is not part of the solution.

Al-Hayat: Ankara's threat to Syria's Kurds puts Washington in a trouble

As for the Turkish attacks on the Syrian north, al-Hayat said, "By bombing the Kurdish areas in the north, Erdogan is trying to test the level of the US acceptance of a possible attack.

"He is trying to figure out how far he can go on a military operation east of the Euphrates before the United States' objection," says Nicholas Hieras, the researcher at the new US Security Center.

The escalation of the tone causes an embarrassment to the United States, especially since the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are trying to end their attack on the last pockets of IS in eastern Syria, but they have suspended their operations after the Turkish bombing.

"The United States is embarrassed as it wants to end the attack on the organization," says Aaron Lund, the researcher at Century Foundation. He added that the Americans reliance on the Kurdish forces in fighting against the extremists gives these forces a great influence on the American superpower.

If the United States gives up to Turkey, it will no longer be able to rely on the Kurds," said the researcher in Syrian affiars Fabrice Ballanch. The expert in the Kurdish affairs Mutlu Geofferoglu considers the suspension of the fighting is a clear message from SDF to the International Alliance. The expert pointed out that they say to them, "We are fighting together, we are partners, and when we face threats, you have to repel them."

(T/S)

ANHA