Oct 30, 2013

Clashes in the Rojava region of northern Syria between al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and the People’s Protection Units (YPG) of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), which controls most of the region, are escalating. The strategic Yaroubia (Tel Kocher in Kurdish) crossing that links Rojava to Mosul and to Baghdad was captured by the PYD after prolonged clashes. Observers say the PYD’s capture of Yaroubia, following its earlier capture of the Ceylanpinar, Senyurt and Nusaybin crossings, will drastically alter balances in the region. Turkish daily Milliyet recently reported the advances of the PYD toward the crossing controlled by al-Qaeda groups.

According to a report by Syria-based Hawar News (ANHA) agency, on the night of Oct. 25, YPG militants launched a three-pronged assault against al-Qaeda-linked groups in the Tel Kocher area. YPG forces first seized the villages of Ciheshiye and Mahmoudiye and positions around them after violent combat. In the second massive assault at 3 a.m., the YPG captured the cement factory radical Islamists had been using as their headquarters. The YPG’s third major operation was at Suka Azad. Around dawn, the YPG captured the Yaroubia crossing that faces the Iraqi Rabia crossing. Reports said al-Qaeda groups sustained heavy casualties in these clashes. The YPG also reportedly captured a mortar tube, many weapons and ammunition.

After the capture of the border crossing, clashes shifted to the center of Tel Kocher where a tank belonging to al-Qaeda groups was destroyed and more casualties were inflicted. Many villages in the region are now under YPG control. The YPG is reported to have captured vast supplies of weapons and ammunition.

The second after Habur

After the vital Habur crossing between Iraq and Syria, Yaroubia — which is the most important gate to Iraq — is on the major trade route. Most of the economic activity between Syria and Iraq is conducted through this gate. The region is mostly populated by Turkmen and has been under Jabhat al-Nusra’s control until now.