SDF reveals toll of Turkey’s attacks on Ayn Issa countryside, takes precautionary measures after Syrian regime evacuates positions south of Raqqa

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Media Center issued a statement on Tuesday reflecting on the recent Turkish attacks on Ayn Issa and the surrounding countryside. In conjunction with the Islamic State (ISIS) attack on Sina’a Prison in Hasakah, North and East Syria, “the Turkish occupation and associated mercenaries launched ground and air attacks in Ayn Issa against our troops and civilian homes.”

On 22 January, the Turkish forces and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) targeted a number of villages in the  Ayn Issa countryside with artillery despite the presence of civilians, resulting in the death of three civilians and injuring 11 others.

The following day, the Turkish occupation forces tried to launch a ground attack on the village of Bir Issa but were repelled by the SDF. Strong clashes then broke out. Ten members of the SNA were reported killed and two others injured. The SDF destroyed two military vehicles and a building used by the SNA as a headquarters.

In related news, the Media Center confirmed that their forces, “took precautionary measures” in the vicinity of Raqqa after reports were received that the Syrian regime evacuated some of its positions in the town of Rusafa  south of the city and left them to ISIS forces. The precautionary measures were taken to prevent ISIS from benefiting from these evacuations and posing a danger to the people in and around Raqqa, according to the Media Center.