Russia sees benefit of nudging Turkey on to Manbij in Syria

Source:al Monitor Date:11Apr2018

Military affairs analyst Mr Metin Gurcan:

I believe Moscow has indirectly encouraged Ankara to advance toward Manbij by influencing Turkey’s strategic decision-making process.

Northern Syria is likely to be the hottest region of that country this summer, when Turkish troops and the FSA will be looking to the east toward Manbij — where US and French troops are currently patrolling — and not to the south toward Tell Rifaat, which is currently under the control of Assad’s forces and Russia’s close monitoring.

The alliance is in trouble however, after  Ankara objected to Kremlin comments to return Afrin to the Syrian government.