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Reinforcements Arrive at Kharab Al-Jeer Base.. Washington Supports Its Allies in Syria
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Washington's deployment of massive military reinforcements reflects concerns over potential Turkish escalation that could undermine regional stability and threaten ISIS resurgence
The Kharab Al-Jeer military base in rural Rmeilan, northeastern Syria, received an American cargo plane.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, monitoring events in Syria, reported that the plane that landed Saturday evening carries military and logistical equipment, along with American personnel, while two helicopters were seen flying over the area.
The London-based observatory stated in a Sunday press release that international coalition forces brought additional military reinforcements Friday, including over 60 trucks arriving in two phases loaded with weapons, armored vehicles, heavy artillery, and military machinery from Al-Walid crossing toward their base in Kharab Al-Jeer in Hasaka countryside.
Nine U.S. military facilities are distributed across Syrian territory: one in Al-Tanf area in eastern Homs countryside, two around Deir ez-Zor, and six in Hasaka area.
Clashes have escalated in northern Syria since Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime fell on December 8, with Washington intervening to establish a temporary truce between Ankara and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
SDF played a pivotal role in defeating ISIS between 2014 and 2017 with U.S. air support, and continues overseeing organization detainees in detention centers. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned of ISIS efforts to restore its capabilities in the current phase.
U.S. military supplies coincide with tense atmosphere, as SDF warned of Turkey and its allies inside Syria sending heavy reinforcements toward south of border-adjacent Kobani city. SDF's official spokesperson stated forces are communicating with Washington-led coalition to thwart any expected Turkish attack.
This coincided with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's statement confirming Ankara will implement "whatever necessary" to ensure its security if new Syrian authority fails to dispel its concerns regarding Kurdish groups.
SDF previously announced losing 5 members during raids by Turkish-backed forces on Manbij and Tishrin Dam.
Amid fears of large-scale Turkish operation against Kurds in northern Syria, two U.S. senators introduced bipartisan legislation to impose sanctions on Ankara.
The proposed project, titled "Confronting Turkish Aggression Act of 2024," allows implementing sanctions targeting prevention of further Turkish or Turkish-backed attacks against SDF, which threaten ISIS return posing U.S. national security threat.
Levant-Agencies
