Syrian Democratic Forces of North and East Syria release statement about resistance around Ayn Issa

AYN ISSA, Syria — The Media Center of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) of North and Eats Syria issued a statement detailing the past three days of resistance against the Turkish occupation army and its Syrian National Army (SNA) proxies in Ayn Issa district. The SDF refuted the allegations of the Turkish Ministry of Defense that the SDF had suffered great losses and stressed that these statements are used to conceal Turkish losses and subvert the truth.

********** SDF STATEMENT **********

On 19th March, the Turkish attacks launched on the villages of Saida and Maalik did not achieve any results due to the SDF response. As a result of the confrontations, sixteen SNA mercenaries were killed, seven others were injured, and an armored vehicle was destroyed. Many civilian areas were targeted, killing a child and injuring five civilians.

On 20th March, the Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries bombed the area with tanks, artillery and mortar shells. As a result of their ground attacks, ten SNA mercenaries were killed and four others were injured in Saida village. Eight SNA mercenaries were killed, five others were injured, two Dushka (DShK) weapons and two military vehicles were destroyed, and two military vehicles were damaged in Maalik village. In the same day, our forces carried out a bombing operation against the Turkish occupiers, killing three mercenaries and injuring others.

On 21st March, the SNA bombed the villages of Mushayrifa, Saida, Maalik, M4 highway, and the vicinity of Ayn Issa. The confrontations continued in separate areas until noon hours.

As a result of the three-day resistance in total, thirty-seven SNA mercenaries were killed and eighteen were injured. In addition, three military vehicles and two Dushka weapons were destroyed, and two vehicles were damaged. A “BKC” weapon and a quantity of military equipment were seized. As a result of the bombing, a child lost his life and five civilians were injured.

In the three-day-confrontations, four of our SDF comrades were killed, and four others were injured.