A tightening circle
On November 27, with the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the PKK/YPG seized control of key eastern settlements abandoned by regime forces.
However, tribal forces from Deir ez-Zor, in cooperation with opposition groups that overthrew the regime, pushed the terror group back, reclaiming Deir ez-Zor’s provincial capital and districts like Al-Bukamal and Al-Mayadin along the Iraq-Syria border.
Concurrently, the Syrian National Army (SNA), under Operation Dawn of Freedom, liberated Manbij from PKK/YPG occupation.
According to Daricili, this victory paves the way for further SNA and Turkish operations east of the Euphrates.
“The circle is tightening,” he notes, as recent victories in Deir ez-Zor and other areas have already begun reversing PKK/YPG gains in eastern Syria.
Daricili argues that the region, with its Sunni Arab majority, is beginning to “return to its natural boundaries.”
He predicts the PKK/YPG-controlled areas rich in oil resources will likely fall to opposition forces, which could use the revenue to rebuild war-torn infrastructure.
“This is because a country with a completely collapsed infrastructure will need the income from those oil fields for reconstruction,” Daricili said.
He also asserts a conflict is highly likely if YPG/PKK doesn’t withdraw. “I don’t think the US will assist this time. The PKK/YPG’s dream in Syria is coming to an end.”