Syria’s De-Escalation Zones Explained

Brandon Turbeville
Activist Post
May 9, 2017

At midnight, May 5, a series of four “De-Escalation Zones” were implemented across Syria. According to the agreement, no warplanes will be allowed to fly missions in territories included in the designated safe zones, including Syrian, Russian, and American warplanes.

The largest safe zone is comprised of Idlib province as well as adjoining districts of Latakia, Aleppo, and Hama, an area that contains around 1 million people. Other “safe zones” are located in the northern part of Homs, East Ghouta, Daraa, and Quneitra. The “safe zones” are slated to exist for six months, with the options of extending them after that time.

Journalist and analyst with The Rabbit Hole, Sarah Abed, wrote,

The memorandum, which comes into effect on May 5, envisages the cessation of hostilities between the sides, conditions for returning refugees, the restoration of destroyed urban infrastructure and the access of humanitarian organizations. Moreover, the checkpoints to control the movement of civilians and the ceasefire regime will be created along the de-escalation zone borders.

Safe Zones To Be Implemented In Syria At Midnight

Brandon Turbeville
Activist Post
May 5, 2017

It has finally happened. Safe zones are now being implemented in Syria. In keeping with the twilight zone that is 2017, however, this time the proposal was initiated by Russia and allegedly supported by the Syrian government, excluding the United States from both the process and from further aerial bombing in the skies of Syria.

According to both mainstream and independent reports, the “safe zones,” which are essentially “no-fly zones,” go into effect at midnight May 5, 2017 (Damascus time). The plan involves the creation of four “safe zones” that will be continuously monitored by the countries who signed the memorandum agreeing to the creation of the zones. Those countries include Russia, Iran, and Turkey.

According to the agreement, no warplanes will be allowed to fly missions in territories included in the designated safe zones, including Syrian, Russian, and American warplanes.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has estimated that approximately 42,000 terrorists (described as “militants” are present within the confines of the safe zones. They will be protected against airstrikes.

Russia will, however, continue airstrikes against terrorists elsewhere in the country.

The largest safe zone will be comprised of Idlib province as well as adjoining districts of Latakia, Aleppo, and Hama, an area that will contain around 1 million people. Other “safe zones” will be created in the northern part of Homs, East Ghouta, Daraa, and Quneitra. The “safe zones” are slated to exist for six months, with the options of extending them after that time.

Rex Tillerson Once Again Mentions “Safe Zones” In Syria

Brandon Turbeville
Activist Post
March 28, 2017

It’s another day under a new administration and still we hear the rumblings of the plan to create “safe zones” in Syria. However, in characteristic Trump administration fashion, Department of State has yet to specify whether or not the “safe zones” in question will be the traditional “No-Fly Zone” of the Libyan variety or some other concoction of military force. Nevertheless, the political groundwork is currently being laid by the Secretary of State for their implementation whatever form they may take.

Speaking before the 68-war crime coalition of states backing the destruction of Syria, Rex Tillerson stated that the United States would set up “interim zones of stability” for the purpose of helping refugees return home. Fresh on the heels of criticizing Hillary Clinton for her slaughter of the Libyan people under the guise of a “No Fly Zone,” Trump supporters will no doubt applaud the policy as a means to end the refugee crisis.

"The United States will increase our pressure on ISIS and al Qaeda and will work to establish interim zones of stability, through ceasefires, to allow refugees to return home," Tillerson said.

Col. Joseph Scrocca, coalition spokesman, stated after the remarks that the U.S. military had not received any orders to create any type of “zones” in Syria.

Likewise, a final statement at the meeting made no mention of safe zones.

Russia Willing To Cooperate With U.S. On Syria 'Safe Zone' As Long As Syrian Gov't Is Consulted

Brandon Turbeville
Activist Post
January 30, 2017

The Trump administration caused major consternation amid the pro-Syria community when it announced, in the context of Trump’s executive order on refugees, that it was directing the Pentagon and Department of Defense to begin drawing up a plan to create “safe zones” in Syria under the guise of repatriating refugees that have settled in the United States and other countries. Trump’s plan sounds eerily similar to the many names given to the concept of a “No Fly Zone” in Syria, a plan which will amount to nothing short of war with Syria and most likely Russia if ever implemented.

The terminology of the previous administration has changed several times; from No Fly Zone, to ISIL-Free Zone, to Safe Zone but it always meant the same thing – Libya 2.0.

This is why even more puzzlement appeared with headlines suggesting Russia was willing to go along with the Trump administration plan so long as it provided that the Syrian government is a part of its implementation.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov cautiously stated that “If this is about the people who were forced to leave their homes by the conflict, […] getting their basic needs covered, […] then I think that the idea to create areas within Syria for those internally displaced could be discussed with the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees and other organizations.”

Turkey Calls For "Buffer Zone" In Syria As Military Seizes Territory Called For By Brookings, MSM

Brandon Turbeville
Activist Post
September 6, 2016

As Turkey marches forward in its invasion of Syrian territory, the true purpose for the initial invasion is becoming more and more clear. While some commentators maintain that Turkey’s recent military adventure is actually coordinated with the Russians and the Syrians, the fruit of Turkey’s labor tells a different story.

For instance, on Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan announced his intention and desire for the creation of a “buffer zone” in Northern Syria that spans over the territory recently seized by Turkish forces and, interestingly enough, also spans the same dimensions of a “buffer zone” called for by numerous military industrial complex firms, “strategy” organizations, and “think tanks” angling for the destruction of the Syrian government.

Speaking from the G20 meeting in China, Erdogan stated “We are working for this region to be declared no-fly zone. This is my proposal to Mr Putin and Mr Obama. This can be done with coalition forces.”

He added that “Now in this summit, to all of our friends, we have brought up this issue and told them this." Erdogan called for a “no-fly zone” last year at the Antalya summit and has been a cheerleader for the plan for quite some time.

The United States has been assisting the Turks in their military operations in Northern Syria by contributing airstrikes. Recently, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy to the anti-ISIS coalition tweeted “Welcome progress in sealing final 98-kilometer strip of Turkish border from #ISIL terrorists, who increasingly have no way out #ISIS #Daesh.”

U.S. Renews Calls For Attack On Syria Air Force, U.K. Calls For Safe Zones, Military Action

Brandon Turbeville
Activist Post
August 22, 2016

As tension between the West and Russia over the Syrian crisis heats up yet again, a combination effort on the part of elements within the United States and the UK are pushing for direct military confrontation with the Syrian military as well as the Russians. Indeed, after a period of time suggesting a major improvement on the ground, it appears that there is now the possibility of renewed vigor on the part of the imperialist Western powers in their goal to destroy Syria, even at the cost of igniting World War 3.

After having violated international law and Syria’s national sovereignty by not only funding and supporting proxy soldiers for the purpose of destroying the secular government of Bashar al-Assad but also by deploying aircraft and troops in the country despite not being invited in by the legitimate government, the U.S. is now warning Russia and Syria against targeting terrorists and Western proxy fighters within Syria’s own territory.

The new U.S. Commander of American troops in Iraq and Syria stated on August 22 that he will “defend” the Special Operations Forces aggressively deployed by the United States to Northern Syria if Syrian warplanes or Syrian artillery again strike areas where U.S. troops are located.

During an interview with CNN, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend stated from his headquarters in Baghdad that "We've informed the Russians where we're at ... (they) tell us they've informed the Syrians, and I'd just say that we will defend ourselves if we feel threatened."

Turkey's Call For "Safe Zones" In Syria Are Based On Problem Turkey Helped Create

Brandon Turbeville
Activist Post
July 27, 2015

As Turkey continues to bomb inside Syria and Iraq against alleged ISIS targets and PKK Iraqi Kurds, and as the NATO Article 4 meeting looms over the Middle East, Turkey has clearly taken yet another step toward its goal of establishing a “buffer zone” and “no-fly zone” over Syria.

Turkey has called Article 4 NATO meetings twice – once in 2003 and once in 2013. In the latter incident, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United states sent two PATRIOT anti-missile batteries each as well as soldiers trained in the operation of those missiles. Turkey is now requesting help with its border security due to the crisis in Syria and one can only wonder what the response of the rest of NATO will be when the meeting concludes.

Article 4 allows any member of NATO to “request assistance” when its “territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened".

Ironically, the crisis in Syria – in particular, the issue surrounding the Turkish-Syrian border – was largely the fault of Turkey itself as it helped train and funnel terrorists from inside its borders into Syria. Thus, the crisis is entirely one of its own making.

As Tony Cartalucci writes in his article “Implausible Deniability: West’s ISIS Terror Hordes In Iraq,”