The situation in Syria is becoming increasingly unpredictable.

Will the US deploy troops in northern Syria?

Northern Syria has been heating up in recent days with clashes between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkish-backed armed groups. This tension is partly highlighted by reports that the US is preparing to deploy forces to the city of Kobani in northern Syria to establish a base there. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR, based in the UK), on January 2nd, the US sent approximately 50 trucks carrying concrete blocks to the Kobani area. Military vehicles flying the US flag have also been continuously moving into the city.

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The SDF-affiliated North Press reported that convoys from the US-led international coalition have begun construction of a military base, and will soon deploy troops, weapons, radar, and air defense systems.

As of yesterday afternoon (Vietnam time), US officials had not commented on the information, but observers believe Washington wants to maintain its strategic objectives in Syria by supporting its Kurdish allies against pressure from Turkey.

Gunmen loyal to the new Syrian government in Homs on January 2.

Following the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, Turkey and Ankara-backed militias have rallied forces along the border with Syria and launched attacks aimed at controlling Kobani, a city on the Syrian-Turkish border currently controlled by the SDF. The return of the US to Kobani would help maintain the military balance and prevent Turkey and its allies from advancing further in Syria. The US military withdrew from Kobani in 2019, and Russian forces subsequently took over, but recent political developments in Syria have created new demands for Washington if it wants to maintain its influence in Syria. The Pentagon stated in December 2024 that there are currently 2,000 US troops stationed in Syria, more than double the previously reported figure of 900 soldiers.

In related developments, AFP reported on January 2nd, citing information from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), that 23 fighters from pro-Turkish forces and one member of a local armed group linked to the SDF were killed in clashes in Manbij. The SDF stated that they repelled enemy attacks south and east of Manbij, while Turkish forces continuously bombarded the areas with drones and artillery fire. The new Syrian government has recently demanded that militia groups within its territory disband and join the national army, but the SDF has called for direct dialogue and a satisfactory resolution of outstanding issues.

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Israel's involvement

Besides resolving the clashes in the north, experts believe the new Syrian government needs to pay attention to the actions of Israel, a country that has so far continued military actions against Syria. On January 2nd, Syrian media reported that Israel had attacked military facilities in Aleppo, northwestern Syria. Tel Aviv forces have carried out hundreds of attacks on military targets in Syria over the past month, claiming this is to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of hostile groups.

Also on January 2nd, Israel confirmed that it had carried out a raid on a missile factory in Syria on September 8th, 2024, when al-Assad was still in power. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they landed in Syria by helicopter, raided and destroyed the underground factory that Tel Aviv claims was funded by Iran to produce weapons for proxy forces.

According to The Jerusalem Post , what is noteworthy is how the Israeli army was able to penetrate the dense air defenses protecting the weapons facility located in Masyaf. The Israeli raid involved landing support helicopters and UAVs, while the Masyaf weapons depot is considered the second most heavily guarded location in Syria after the capital Damascus.

The hypothesis is that Israel had previously carried out numerous operations to neutralize Syrian air defenses; otherwise, the operation would have been almost impossible. However, this remains unconfirmed. Whatever the reason, the fact that the Israeli military successfully carried out the raid will undoubtedly draw the attention of the new Syrian government to Tel Aviv's covert operational capabilities.

Is Russia seeking a new military base to replace Syria?

CNN reported on January 1st that Russian transport planes landed in Libya with significantly increased frequency in December 2024, particularly after the overthrow of al-Assad's regime in Syria. US media outlets suggest Moscow intends to establish a base to maintain a presence in the Mediterranean, replacing Russian bases in Syria. Neither Russia nor Libya has commented on this information.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/the-cuoc-syria-them-kho-luong-185250103222123757.htm