DW: Turkey has launched a military offensive against the Kurdish-held enclave of Afrin in northern Syria. Kristian Brakel: The Syrian army is currently conducting an offensive in Idlib. Turkey has a stated interest in keeping the Syrian army from taking control of this enclave. And it is also an area that is part of the so-called “de-escalation zone” established by Russia, Turkey and Iran. Russia wants to keep the Kurds pliable.

Source: Egypt Independent January 30, 2018 21:22 UTC