Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu Speaks - TTG

Moscow and Washington are in direct talks to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Aleppo, Syria, according to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. “We are in a very active phase of talks with our American counterparts both in Geneva and in Amman; we are frequently in touch with Washington,” Shoigu told TV channel Rossiya 24 on Monday.  “We are moving step by step closer to a plan – and I’m only talking about Aleppo here – that would really allow us to start fighting together to bring peace so that people can return to their homes in this troubled land.”

Russia and the US are working to resolve the situation in Syria in a very concrete and organized way, according to Shoigu, who explained that all of the suggestions are aimed at preserving the country’s territorial integrity and fighting terrorism, while the sides believe that the rest can be worked out at the negotiation table.

Shoigu said that, despite being feared in the West, Islamist militants are actually unaware of what they are fighting for. “If we look at [their] nationalities... they would hardly know five cities in Syria by heart. They don’t know the names of those cities, and they hardly wonder what they’re fighting for. It’s obvious and clear to everyone.”

State Department officials told a CBS News correspondent that there is presently nothing to announce on US-Russia cooperation in Aleppo. Direct talks on the issue are continuing in Geneva, but there is no “deadline” for any agreement on cooperation, they said. (RT)

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What is Shoigu talking about here? He has never struck me as one given to idle chit-chat or speculation. My guess is that he is not talking about the city of Aleppo. That would be a stretch. He is referring to the coming battle for al-Bab and the closing of the link between IS and the Turkish border. They are preparing for a "Meeting on the Elbe" moment which will require close air-ground coordination. It is militarily prudent to discuss such things.

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A French member of the SDF told ARA News that their forces aim to liberate as much as territory from ISIS as possible. During a press conference, the al-Bab Military Council announced that they follow the example of the SDF-led Manbij Military Council that liberated Manbij city from ISIS last Friday.

“Drawing on the experience of our neighbours in liberated Manbij and it’s countryside, it has become necessary for us to work together to liberate our people, as a step to the liberation of all of Syria, and to build a common home,” the council said. “That’s why we announced the founding of the military council of al-Bab and its countryside,” the organization said. (ARA News)

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The SDF has announced the formation of the al-Bab Military Council on Sunday. This is in line with the YPG desire to continue the offensive to al-Bab and on to Afrin. The US desire to seize Raqqa will have to wait for another day. The SDF and the new al-Bab Military Council give the US the fig leaf needed to continue supporting the Kurdish drive to unite Rojava. I also believe the Kurds and the Arabs of the SDF are not of the "Assad must go" camp. They may be ambivalent of his continued regime in Damascus, but they desire a united Syria with some hard won federated semi-autonomy. They know they live in a tough neighborhood. The US will have to look elsewhere for their new unicorn army.

TTG

 

Comments

[Herb]

No, I don't think he is any more an "agent of Putin" than I think Clinton is an "agent of Israel". But their goals align.

[Herb]

I can see your point, but I'm going to give Obama credit here for avoiding war with Iran, because the vast majority of both his party and the Republican party "elites", and all other pressure was driving directly toward it.

I voted for him solely on the hope that he would avoid war with Iran, and he did, so I'm giving credit where it is due.

[Dubhaltach]

In reply to PeteM 18 August 2016 at 12:03 PM

The Kurds

[alba etie]

Smoothie X12
What tantrum ?

[SmoothieX12]

Guess where the issue of Ukraine came from?

[sillybill]

Well, actually their ideology is from Plainfield, VT. - They have given up on the Maoism and authoritarianism and adopted many of Murray Bookchin's ideas about anarchist community organisation.

In all the things I've read about them the only things that really bother me are some of the interviews with young soldiers show a continuing tendency to idolize the imprisoned PKK leader Ocalan - and his picture is up everywhere. They need to rid themselves of the remnants of the old personality cult.

http://www.supportrojava.org/

[alba etie]

Smoothie x 12
That is a point taken .

[Amir]

My next vacation spot will be to Saint Petersburg, time permitting.

[Amir]

I found a dictionary: apposite means very appropriate, suitable for the occasion or situation. Thanks.