21/10/2020

Infiltration attempt by Turkish-backed factions repelled outside Ayn Issa in North and East Syria

AYN ISSA, SYRIA — Overnight, intense clashes broke out between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) following a failed SNA attempt to infiltrate SDF frontlines. Sustained artillery and aerial bombardments soon followed, indiscriminately hitting civilian property in the area.

There are reportedly casualties on both sides.

For days, the area around has been under routine bombardment by Turkish heavy weapons and rockets. On Friday, a 13-year-old boy was killed in the shelling, which coincided with the withdrawal of Turkish forces from its besieged military posts in Edleb (Idlib).

Turkey has continually violated the ceasefires signed between it and the U.S. and Russia.

According to Amy Austin Holmes, Turkey and the SNA have violated the ceasefire agreement signed in late October 2019 over 800 times.