Turkish drone strike targets car in Zalin, North and East Syria, killing three civilians

ZALIN, Syria — On 9 November, in a clear violation of international law, a Turkish drone bombed a civilian car in the Al-Hilaliya neighborhood in Zalin (Qamishli) in North and East Syria killing three civilians from the same family: Youssef, Mazloum, and Muhammad Kallo. One of the men killed was 70 years old.

This Turkish strike, and the many which preceded it, violates the de-escalation agreements that were reached between Turkey, Russia, and the U.S. in October 2019.

 During one week of October 2021, Turkish drones targeted two civilian cars in the city of Kobanê, killing two civilians and three members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in addition to injuring others.

Last August, a Turkish drone targeted a vehicle of the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) on the Zalin –Amuda road near the Ali Faro junction, killing a leader of the People’s Protection Units (Yekîneyên Parastina Gel, YPG). A week later, a Turkish drone targeted a military vehicle in the village of Himo in the Zalin countryside, injuring many people.

In a public statement, the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) called for a ‘no fly zone’ to be established in North and East Syria.