Spokesperson Aram Hanna confirms Syrian Democratic Forces’ readiness to confront the Turkish attacks on North and East Syria

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — Amid vague and “both-sides” condemnations from the U.S. Embassy in Syria, Turkey continues to escalate its military operations along the lines of contact in Tel Tamr, Ayn Issa, Kobani, and Mabbug (Manbij).

In this regard, Suroyo TV, affiliated with the SyriacPress news desk, conducted an interview with spokesperson of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Aram Hanna.

“The Turkish military actions and shells targeted populated areas along the lines of contact and caused damage to civilian property,” said Hanna. “They also targeted vital service facilities and infrastructure in the area.”

He added that the SDF’s local military councils have taken all defensive measures to ensure the protection of the residents and public property.

Hanna stated that the SDF does not conduct offensive operations along the line of contact but responds to any sources of fire in the legitimate self-defense as allowed by international conventions.

Turkey’s repeated attacks are a distraction from the SDF’s ongoing fight against the Islamic State (ISIS). Hanna stated that ISIS sleeper cells carry out terrorist operations across southern Hasakah all the way to the countryside of Dayro Zcuro (Deir ez-Zor).

SDF Special Units intensified their joint operations with the U.S.-led International Coalition.

“The SDF has recently conducted many qualitative operations in cooperation with the Internal Security Forces (ISF) that resulted in the arrest of ISIS operatives who were financing and securing weapons for the group,” Hanna stated.