Tall Rifaat

Syria (Syrian Civil War)

2016

Alzaz

Qatmah

Mesale

Sawran

Cumke

Kaljibrin

Dabiq

Tilalyan

Qibare

Maryamayn

Menagh Airport

Afrin

Ayn Daqnah

Jalbul

Shaykh Isa

Marea

Basselhaya

Ibbin

Tall Rifaat

Deir Jamal

Tel Malid

Sorhane

Kafr Naya

Barad

Mayer

Nubl

Zahraa

Tall Rifaat - 2016 (Syrian Civil War).

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This is a quick game set up to add an overview of the recent activity around Tall Rifaat. Essentially rebels are pushing West through Tall Rifaat and other towns while Loyalists attack other places causing the forces that were in Tall Rifaat and surrounding areas to move to counter that threat. (what I mean is that its very confusing. Further, the BBC and agatho sites differ on their definition of forces, the Agatho site calls them SDF while the BBC calls them YPG although Agatho is calling SDF the JAT + YPG. hopefully this map will help me figure it out).

My set up is largley based on the following section from the BBC article which details the Turkish artillery fire across Aziz at the YPG:

Since then, the government advance northwards towards the border has continued, while the YPG has exploited the situation and begun pushing eastwards from their enclave around Afrin, taking the Menagh airbase and the town of Tal Rifaat from the rebels.

All I have to figure out is who the rebels are.

I will be placing some Turkish artillery with zero movement that can cover Aziz although its a bit of a squeeze and will be just an arbitrary representation. I will also give the Kurds Russian air support although im not certain if they got it.

The Reuters article describes the Free Syrian army as having taken over Menagh Airport with support of Russian airstrikes.

Russian warplanes staged at least 30 raids against rebels at the base before the Kurdish fighters were able to seize it.

The videos are from fighting in 2013 for the airport.

Note that Mayer and South of Mayer is held by Loyalists, whoever they are, but essentially Syrian forces, but a little further South again and the territory is held by the Rebels. Turkey doesnt like this Eastward push by the Kurds as it links them further along the Turkish border and restricts Turkeys ability to support the Rebels further South, but the Russians are happy to support the Kurds for this very reason against Turkey. The significance here being that Turkey and possibly other Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia might use this as an excuse to put land forces into Syria to displace this Kurdish advance.

see Agathocledesyracuse Map

see BBC

see Reuters

see Sputnik News

see Larep (French)

see Big News Network