Iran plans for Aleppo, US pilots in Syria, Israel arrests Hamas leader, Congo protests…

Bashar al-Assad’s forces are preparing to battle for control of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo.  The highly strategic city, which connects from the Turkish border to Damascus along Syria’s main highway, is currently divided in three: the Syrian army, al-Qaeda and other rebels, and IS control sectors within and around the city.

To break the stalemate, Iranian Quds Force commander General Qassem Soleimani is directing reinforcements in the form of Shia militias from Iraq to join Iranian troops, Hezbollah fighters, and the Syrian army to attempt a takeover of Aleppo backed by Russian air strikes, which have mainly targeted secular and American-backed rebels. The Iranian move of resources from Iraq to Syria highlights the importance of Aleppo, as the Shia militias from Iraq were engaged in defending against IS there.

US pilots in Syria keep low profile against Russian jets as agreement on maneuvers is near

Syrian skies are increasingly crowded: American, Russian, Syrian, French, Australian, Saudi, Jordanian, and Emirati air forces are all flying missions, targeting everyone from IS to secular opponents of Bashar al-Assad.  This volatile situation could easily result in a disaster if not brought under control.  To prevent an incident with Russia, American pilots have been directed to avoid any perceived or real provocation by Russian pilots.

In the works for weeks, the agreement between the US and Russia on rules of engagement and flight procedures over Syria is expected to be announced today.  According to Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis, the agreement will be limited to prevention of aircraft collisions via a communications channel whose structure will be outlined in the final draft.

Israel arrests top Hamas operative as violence continues

Ongoing violence in Israel has led to the arrest of Hamas co-founder Hassan Yousef for “actively instigating and inciting terrorism” according to the IDF, which carried out the operation in Ramallah yesterday. Attacks targeting both Israeli soldiers and civilians have resulted in 9 dead and approximately 70 injured.  Yousef released a statement earlier this month in which he urged Palestinians to attack Israelis, which has been the pattern in the past week.  Yousef is a high level Hamas spiritual and political leader from the West Bank.

The most recent bout of violence shows no signs of calming down, as the Palestinians resort to knifings and running over Israelis.  UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is on a visit to the region, where he called for both parties to negotiate a two-state solution.

Congo opposition protests President Sassou Nguesso’s bid for a third term

Following a pattern seen throughout emerging African democracies, Congo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso is the latest leader seeking to extend his term past the constitutionally mandated limit.  Protests erupted in the Congolese capital of Brazzaville, with demonstrators demanding Sassou not hold a referendum this upcoming Friday that would eliminate age and term limits for the president.

Mobile service, internet, text messaging, and radio signals were cut ahead of the protests, which are largely led by Congolese youth.  By eliminating their access to their forms of communication, as well as radio for the population at large, Sassou appears to be in control of the narrative ahead of the referendum.

Other stories we’re watching:

Yemen government-in-exile and Houthi rebels begin peace talks

Russian airstrikes in Syria kill 45, including rebel commander

Kenyan security searching for 5 Kenyans suspected of al-Shabab links

Diversion in Syria benefiting Ukraine as peace deal in the works

Breakaway province South Ossetia seeks to hold vote on joining Russia

Obama authorizes Navy ships to sail close to artificial Chinese islands in S. China Sea

China condemns exiled Uighur leader remarks as Jinping arrives in UK

Initiative for Global Development to hold conference on African private sector in Washington