SDF, the American Lap or the Russian one

Abdalaziz Alhamza “RBSS”

It seems that Raqqa’s fate does not depend on the existence of ISIS but it depends on the US and Russian interests in eastern Syria benefiting from Kurdish allies seemed to be ready to do anything in order to achieve their separatist interests disregarding the interests of other Kurds and Syrians.

The Associated Press reported earlier this month that Trump administration wants to give the Pentagon the flexibility to make routine decisions in combat areas with ISIS. Reports say that field commanders were frustrated by what they consider as a mismanagement by the former administration, president Obama. Other reports say that the US is preparing to send thousand troops to Kuwait as a backup force to be deployed in the battle against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, these reports came along with Pentagon has announced that US army has deployed small number of US soldiers inside Manbij where Pentagon spokesperson Jeff Davis said:” Deployment of these forces is a clear signal of deterrence and reassurance, and to ensure that the different parties on the field do not attach each other and keep the focus on fighting ISIS”.

Manbij is the place where all the international parties showed that they have total different interests in the region and they agree only on using the war against ISIS as pretext to be there.
The US forces have formed a wall to prevent any clashes between the Euphrates Shield troops and the Kurdish militias, it seems that the US wants to control Raqqa through its Kurdish ally who was hesitant earlier in launching Raqqa battle but made it through due to the Russian and American support.

Turkey has repeatedly tried to stop the support for PKK militias, but the US has not stopped that yet and obviously does not want to stop it in Manbij where it fears that its Kurdish allies will clash with the Turkish Euphrates Shield. It is obvious that the US wants more military bases in the region through supporting SDF to fight ISIS, actually this is what John Durian, the coalition spokesperson, has indicated to:” A Marine Corps artillery unit and 400 other troops have been deployed to join another 500 troops already deployed in Syria and all will support SDF”.

These reinforcements sent by the US have made the Kurdish militia able to start Raqqa battle especially with the recent advance they made in Raqqa suburbs.
Despite the US support, SDF still coordinate with the Russians where SDF have announced that Russia is about to establish a military force Southwest Syria to train SDF troops.
Redor Khalil, SDF spokesperson, has indicated to Reuters that they have made an agreement with Russia and number of Russian soldiers and armored vehicles have reached Afrin and started to take their positions. The question is, which lap SDF wants? The American or The Russian?.