ISDEI Instituto de Seguridad, Defensa y Estudios Internacionales

ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE Kurdish militias operating in Syria have allegedly received a batch of man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADs) from the US, according to rumors spread by pro-opposition sources on January 15. Kurdish militias – YPG and YPJ – are a core of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that control large areas in northwestern and eastern Syria. Opposition sources argue that the US had provided MANPADs to the part of the US-backed forces operating in the area of Afrin in northwestern Syria. However, they were not able to provide any evidence to confirm that the so-called “secret deal” between the sides really exists and the SDF had received the MANPADs. Reports about the MANPADs supplies followed the escalation of tensions between Turkey/pro-Turkish militants and the SDF in northwestern Syria. Turkish forces repeatedly shelled positions of the SDF in the area of Afrin last weekend. The SDF, particularly Kurdish YPG units, responded with shelling positions

Oscar Perez Venezuela’s security forces eliminated a rebel band led by Oscar Perez on Januart 15 in the Caracas neighborhood of El Junquito. Perez, a police pilot, was accused of stealing a helicopter and using it to attack the country’s Supreme Court in June, 2017. President Nicolas Maduro said the rebel group was preparing a car bomb attack against the embassy of an unnamed country. He revealed that a part of the terrorist group “fell down” and five persons were arrested as a result of the operation. The president provided no details how many died or who they were. However, he said that two officers were killed in the siege. Separately, the Interior Ministry added that 5 officers were injured in the operation. Earlier on the same day, Perez posted videos on social media saying his group was under attack.