US Embassy in Syria voices concern over recent Turkish bombing of Kobanê, North and East Syria, without naming Turkey

KOBANÊ, Syria — Turkey’s military escalation in North and East Syria has increased over recent weeks, with Turkish forces targeting the cities of Mabbug (Manbij) and Kobanê with artillery shells. Locals condemned the repeated attacks on their homes and called for the international community, especially the U.S. and Russia, to do more to end the repeated Turkish violations of the ceasefire agreed to in October 2019.

On Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Daramsuq (Damascus) stated via social media that it is deeply concerned by reports of shelling on Kobanê and deplores any loss of civilian life. Its statements, however, failed to mention Turkey by name and called on “both sides” to de-escalate.

Political parties in Mabbug issued a statement in which they condemned the repeated Turkish bombing of Kobanê and the northern countryside of Mabbug.

The statement was delivered during a press conference in Mabbug in the presence of members and representatives of political parties operating in the city.

The statement called on the U.S. and Russia to take action and end the violations of Turkey whose goal they claim is to create a Turkish controlled strip of land in Syria along the entirety of the Turkey–Syria border and settle families of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) under the pretext that they are returning refugees.