Syrian Democratic Forces

Iraq, Turkey
Baghdad called upon to mediate between the MIT and the PUK

Hugely concerned about the origin of the intelligence that allowed the MIT to attack the Sulaymanyah airport on 7 April, the PUK has called on Baghdad to lead the investigation. It is also hoping to calm down the increasingly tense relations between the Talabani clan and Ankara.

Syria, United States
Washington rallies local companies around new jihadist prison project in northeastern Syria

The US is funding the construction of a new detention centre in northeastern Syria, while its local partner, the Syrian Democratic Forces, has been tasked with selecting suitable companies for the project.

Syria, United States
USSOCOM keeps troops on ground despite Syria-Turkey talks

After letting its focus on Syria slip, the United States is now having to sit by and watch as the Assad regime continues to engage with Turkey. If the two neighbours do restore ties, this could pull the US back into the regional troubles and call into question the presence of US troops in northeast Syria.

The Agencies' Gazette
New Iranian militia in Syria, Chinese retiree recall, Finnish border, Swedish NSA, ANSSI

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community. This week we hone in on Tehran and Zhengzhou, via Helsinki, Stockholm and Paris.

Iran/Syria IRGC mobilises new militia against US interests in Syria

China Retired military, state personnel hired to prevent iPhone production jam

Finland Border guards camp in the east

Sweden Bigger budget for interception agency FRA

France Senators move to make ANSSI more aggressive

France, Syria, Turkey
Between asset freezes and support, Paris displays contradictory stance over Kurds

Recent French sanctions against individuals suspected of financing the Kurdish Workers Party, or PKK, highlight incoherent foreign policy towards the Kurdish movement.

Syria
Syrian army and Syrian Democratic Forces join forces to face Erdogan's intervention threats

As the Turkish president continues to threaten a new intervention in Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces have finally opted to form an ad hoc alliance with the regime in Damascus, offering it a long hoped for opportunity to return to north-eastern Syria.

Iran, United States
Seasoned lobbyist Ayal Frank signs up with Iranian Kurds

The communications consultant, who already works on behalf of the Syrian Kurds, was recently hired by the Iranian Kurdish party Komala. In Washington, he intends to promote the interests of the Middle Eastern minority as a whole.

Syria
Iranian Pasdaran's Syria plans jeopardised by threat of Turkish intervention

Tehran was counting on Russia's engagement in Ukraine to gain ground in Syria, but its plans have been thrown off course by Turkey's threat of further military engagement in Syria, which has also prevented Russia from withdrawing.

Syria, United Kingdom, United States
Oil firm Gulfsands sees new opportunities in updated US sanctions list

Washington's recent decision to exclude the oil sector from the foreign investments it is allowing once again in northeast Syria paves the way for the return to the area of juniors linked to the Syrian regime, such as UK oil firm Gulfsands Petroleum.

Syria, Turkey
Turkish and Syrian spymasters making furtive moves to prepare for future normalisation

Though far from singing the praises of Bashar Al Assad's regime, Ankara recognises that the regime's continued existence points to a need to restore dialogue between the two countries. Turkey's intelligence service, the MIT, is taking the first steps towards this.

Russia, Syria
Russia caught between Kurdish and Syrian forces in Syria

Moscow is having to mediate between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Assad regime, despite its priorities in Ukraine.