Firefight reported from the Kurdish alliance side yesterday between YPG and a combined Jihaddist [Nusra (al Qaeda), Ahrar al Sham and ISIS] force .near villages of Keştaar and Aşê Al-Faysal. Several months agao I predicted that ISIS would shape shift into a braoder alliance if required and there are now hints of this happening.
From the Turkish/Saudi backed Al Qaeda (al Nusra side) the following reportedly depicts and assault on YPJ positions in North Aleppo.
This war is intensifying and polarizing. Some commentators describe it as a "cold war" between Turkey and Russia. The video evidence suggests otherwise. Turkish supply lines are being hit by the RuAF but they continue to supply the Jihaddists. So called Turkmen fighters are largely from Turkey. There are also unconfirmed reports of Russian Special Forces in the ground (to the West of where the Sukhoi was shot down. With Turkish tanks massing on the other side of the border here and remaining civilians getting out ..... there are no prizes for guessing what will happen next.
No side is in the mood for mediation and transition at the moment with both sides getting the weapons they need. On the Kurdish / SDF side it is notable that Russian Il 76's have been landing in their territory for weeks. Bearing this in mind, the suggestion of Turkey closing its remaining ISIS border with US assistance is a nonsense.
