Putin says Assad willing to share power
The Russian president says that Syrian president Assad is willing to hold elections and share power with a “responsible” opposition. Let’s see if Assad agrees with this and proceeds. The opposition is unlikely to trust Assad and furthermore they have the upper hand. Syrian troops are in retreat from the north.
UAE admits to surprisingly high casualties in Yemen
The UAE sent ground troops into Yemen to support the southern Sunnis in their war with the northern Shia group known as the Houthis. The UAE has admitted to losing twenty-two dead over the last few weeks. We shall see how the Emirati public takes this, especially if casualties continue.
US troops injured by IED in Sinai
As part of the Camp David agreement, US maintains a peacekeeping force along the Egypt-Israel border in Sinai. It’s a battalion-level force, about 500 troops. Sinai is currently experiencing tribal unrest which is intermixed with al Qaeda militancy. There was a skirmish between US peacekeepers and AQ last year. More such incidents will occur.
Battle to retake Ramadi stalls
Despite overwhelming numerical superiority, air support, and firepower advantages over ISIL, Iraqi troops have yet to encircle Ramadi – a key step in retaking the Anbar town that fell to ISIL last spring. This is due to continued incompetence in the Iraqi army.