Launched TUESDAY December 24, 2019 on www.zReportage.com Story #720: SYRIA CRISIS!: Following the Turkish incursion into northern Syria, the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria reported that more than 100,000 people, mostly women and children with presumed links to ISIL fighters, are 'lingering in makeshift camps' in the region. Turkey halted its military inside Syria when it struck deals with the US and Russia for the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), who are considered a 'terrorist group' by Ankara, to be moved 20 miles from the border with Turkey. The offensive faced international criticism over fears it could undermine efforts to prevent the Islamic State (ISIS) from returning in Syria and unleashing another humanitarian crisis in the already eight year long war. The Syrian Democratic Forces, were the USA's main ally in the battle against ISIL in Syria. US President Trump has faced domestic criticism for announcing a troop withdrawal that was seen as a green light for Turkey's cross border campaign against the armed group. The outcome, the refugees state, is a form of ethnic cleansing, an operation they see as intended in part to force out Kurdish residents and their sympathizers and replace them with Arabs loyal to Turkey.
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A man reacts to noise from fireworks. A celebration takes place commemorating the 41st anniversary of PKK on Qandil mountain in the Kurdistan region of Iraq on November 29, 2019. Turkey has deemed the PKK a terrorist organization and the ongoing conflict with them is stated as a main reason for the insurgency into NE Syria. Kurdish PKK fighters are based in the mountains of this region and many people taking part in the party have lost family members to the fighting.
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Soldiers with the Syrian army on their way to the frontline to battle Turkish forces. Some will not return. Fierce fighting waged after U.S. President Trump pulled troops out which was viewed as many as a betrayal of Kurdish allies who forged an alliance with Syrian regime forces.
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Syrian Kurdish YPG soldiers fight Turkish forces on a road from Tel Tamir, Syria, at the front line. Fierce fighting waged after U.S. President Donald Trump pulled troops out which was viewed as many as a betrayal of Kurdish allies. Humanitarian group Free Burma Rangers stood by for rescue of casualties. Dave Eubank from FBR stated 'Call it Turkish zone of invasion, zone of genocide, ethnic cleansing
© November 2, 2019, Tel Tamir, Syria: Syrian Kurdish YPG soldiers fight Turkish forces on a road from Tel Tamir, Syria, at the front line. Fierce fighting waged after U.S. President Donald Trump pulled troops out which was viewed as many as a betrayal of Kurdish allies. Humanitarian group Free Burma Rangers stood by for rescue of casualties. Dave Eubank from FBR stated 'Call it Turkish zone of invasion, zone of genocide, ethnic cleansing
A soldier is put in ambulance by humanitarian group Free Burma Rangers on a rescue mission at the front line of Kurdish YPG soldiers fighting Turkish forces on a road from Tel Tamir, Syria. They defended themselves from fierce gunfire, 6 tank rounds and an RPG attack to rescue a soldier with internal injuries. His friend was heard to say in the ambulance that he would blow himself up if his friend died and appeared succumbing to the fear of battle. Dave Eubank from FBR stated, 'Call it Turkish zone of invasion, zone of genocide, ethnic cleansing
© November 2, 2019, Tel Tamir, Syria: A soldier is put in ambulance by humanitarian group Free Burma Rangers on a rescue mission at the front line of Kurdish YPG soldiers fighting Turkish forces on a road from Tel Tamir, Syria. They defended themselves from fierce gunfire, 6 tank rounds and an RPG attack to rescue a soldier with internal injuries. His friend was heard to say in the ambulance that he would blow himself up if his friend died and appeared succumbing to the fear of battle. Dave Eubank from FBR stated, 'Call it Turkish zone of invasion, zone of genocide, ethnic cleansing
Local residents throw rocks at a joint Russian Turkish patrol. Fierce fighting with Turkey waged after U.S. President Donald Trump pulled troops out which was widely viewed as a betrayal of Kurdish allies.
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Soldiers with SDF are rushed to hospital during a bloody day on the frontline in the conflict with Turkish forces. Fierce fighting waged after U.S. President Trump pulled troops out which was viewed as many as a betrayal of Kurdish allies.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Wire
A son, AJMAD BIKAIR lost both parents Ibrahim Muhammad Xalif, 60 and Ali Salish, 55 by mortar fire in the Syrian conflict with Turkey. He rushed them to hospital in the besieged city of Tel Tamir, Syria hoping still they could be saved. The were gravely wounded in Tal El Ward, which means 'Village of Flower.' Fierce fighting with Turkey waged after U.S. President Donald Trump pulled troops out which was viewed by many as a betrayal of Kurdish allies.
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Funeral for three Kurdish 'martyrs' killed in the Syrian conflict with Turkey. 'Americans you betrayed us and anything that happens to us you are responsible.' Fierce conflict waged after U.S. President Trump pulled troops out which was viewed as many as a betrayal of Kurdish allies.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Wire
Tires and oil burn in an attempt to act as cover from airstrikes in the besieged city of Tel Tamir, Syria as residents flee. Fierce fighting with Turkey waged after U.S. President Trump pulled troops out which was viewed by many as a betrayal of Kurdish allies. Dave Eubank from Free Burma Rangers stated 'This zone is one of ethnic cleansing with 300,000 people displaced. Many have been killed and wounded. Homes are destroyed. The Kurds are calling this area 'the genocide zone.' The safe zone is not safe by any definition. It is the zone of the Turkish invasion. We've seen their tanks and been fired upon by those tanks and their aircraft. There has been no ceasefire this whole time.'
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Wire
A woman weeps as eight SDF soldiers killed in the conflict with Turkey were honored at a martyr 'Sehid' funeral. Fierce fighting waged after U.S. President Donald Trump pulled troops out which was viewed as many as a betrayal of Kurdish allies.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Wire
Soldiers with SDF are rushed to hospital during a bloody day on the frontline in the conflict with Turkish forces. Fierce fighting waged after U.S. President Donald Trump pulled troops out which was viewed as many as a betrayal of Kurdish allies.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Wire
Free Burma Ranger DAVE EUBANK prays as his team members and hospital staff try to revive Zau Seng, a videographer and medic for the humanitarian group Free Burma Rangers who was killed in a drone attack at the frontline in the conflict with Turkey near Tel Tamir. They were at a casualty collection point to rescue wounded. He was from Burma and left a wife and baby who celebrated her first birthday today. 'He came here to help, said Dave Eubank from FBR. 'People are still dying, we're going to stand with them' as the group prepared to return to the frontline shortly after the loss of one of their own.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Wire
Zau Seng, a medic and videographer for the humanitarian group Free Burma Rangers was mortally wounded by a drone strike at the frontline in the conflict with Turkey north of Tel Tamir, Syria. They were at a casualty collection point to rescue wounded. He was from Burma and left a wife and baby who celebrated her first birthday today. 'He came here to help, said Dave Eubank from FBR. People are still dying, we're going to stand with them' as the group prepared to return to the front line shortly after the loss of one of their own.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Wire
NOORA HASSAN, mother of YPG soldier Jan Qamishlo weeps at a funeral for three Kurdish 'martyrs' killed in the Syrian conflict with Turkey. One grieving family member said in rage, 'Americans you betrayed us and anything that happens to us you are responsible.' Fierce fighting waged after U.S. President Donald Trump pulled troops out which was viewed as many as a betrayal of Kurdish allies.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Wire
Family members of YPG soldier Jan Qamishlo weep at funeral for three Kurdish 'martyrs' killed in Syrian conflict with Turkey. One grieving family member said in rage, 'Americans you betrayed us and anything that happens to us you are responsible.' Fierce fighting waged after U.S. President Donald Trump pulled troops out which was viewed as many as a betrayal of Kurdish allies..
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Wire
FIDA AZIZ holds her baby as Internally Displaced Persons that fled the conflict with Turkey in Syria receive food, water and blankets from humanitarian group Free Burma Rangers in a neighborhood near the frontline. Dave Eubank with FBR stated 'Call it Turkish zone of invasion, zone of genocide, ethnic cleansing, anything but a safe zone.'
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Wire
Syrian Arab IDPs that fled fierce fighting with Turkish forces in their villages at the frontline are now staying in Abu Kabira. They receive water and bread from humanitarian group Free Burma Rangers. They said the needs were great, especially for blankets and tents for their cows in the cold night air. Fierce conflict waged after U.S. President Donald Trump pulled troops out which was viewed as many as a betrayal of Kurdish allies.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Wire
Flies cover a child's face as Syrian Internally Displaced Persons who fled the conflict with Turkey stay at schools. Local children are out of classes because so many IDPs have sought shelter in the schools. Conditions are bleak. Fierce conflict waged after U.S. President Donald Trump pulled troops out which was viewed as many as a betrayal of Kurdish allies.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Wire
Syrian IDPs that fled fierce fighting with Turkish forces in their villages at the frontline are now staying in Abu Kabira area. They said the needs were great, especially for blankets in the cold night air. Fierce conflict waged after U.S. President Trump pulled troops out which was viewed as many as a betrayal of Kurdish allies.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Wire
Syrian Arab IDPs that fled fierce fighting with Turkish forces in their villages at the frontline are now staying. They said the needs were great, especially for blankets in the cold night air and tents for their cows. Humanitarian group Free Burma Rangers delivered water this evening. Fierce conflict waged after U.S. President Donald Trump pulled troops out which was viewed as many as a betrayal of Kurdish allies.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Wire
Tires and oil burn in an attempt to act as cover from airstrikes in the besieged city of Tel Tamir, Syria as residents flee. Fierce fighting with Turkey waged after U.S. President Trump pulled troops out which was viewed by many as a betrayal of Kurdish allies. Dave Eubank from Free Burma Rangers stated 'This zone is one of ethnic cleansing with 300,000 people displaced. Many have been killed and wounded. Homes are destroyed. The Kurds are calling this area 'the genocide zone.' The safe zone is not safe by any definition. It is the zone of the Turkish invasion. We've seen their tanks and been fired upon by those tanks and their aircraft. There has been no ceasefire this whole time.'
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Wire
