Turkish airstrikes target locations across North and East Syria, civilians and military personnel martyred and injuries

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — On Sunday, Turkish warplanes launched a series of air raids across North and East Syria. Locations from Dayrik (Derik / Al-Malikiyah) and Abu Rasyn (Zarkan) all the way to Kobane and Cafrin (Afrin) were struck. The Turkish bombing resulted in deaths, injuries, and great material damage. Turkey also bombed several areas in northern Iraq.

The city of Kobane, known around the world for its valiant defiance in the face of the Islamic State (ISIS), witnessed particularly heavy bombardment from Turkish warplanes targeting the city center and surrounding villages. Vehicles along the Kobane–Jarabulus road were targeted, as were areas in the Kobane forest and on Mistanour Hill. 

In the nearby village of Halinj, the COVID Hospital was completely destroyed. 

When journalists from media outlet Sterk arrived at the site following the initial strikes, they were targeted in additional strikes, injuring reporter Mohammad Jarada injured.

This would not be the first time Turkey has intentionally targeted a hospital, which is a war crime. In its 2018 invasion of Cafrin, Turkish airstrikes hit Afrin Hospital.

Other civilian infrastructure was destroyed, including the Dahr al-Arab grain silos northeast of Abu Rasayn.

Dayrik and its villages, farther east along the border with Turkey, were not spared from the Turkish attack. Jala Hill in the village of Tal Shih was targeted, as was the area between the villages of Karkendal and Takl Baqal. 

Civilians from Dayrik headed towards an area targeted in an airstrike to evaluate the damage and offer assistance if needed. Shortly after they arrived, Turkish warplanes conducted secondary strikes, killing 12 people, including correspondent journalist for Hawar Agency Issam Abdullah, and wounding three others.

Shahba Canton, south of Cafrin, witnessed similar aerial bombardment targeting the villages of Baylouniyeh, Sheikh Issa, and Shawarga Castle. Military points of the Syrian regime in the regions of Shahba, Abu Rasayn, and the village of Qazali in the countryside of Tel Abyad.

Across the border in neighboring Iraq, Turkey conducted airstrikes in Shiggur (Shengal / Sinjar), Duhok, Sulaymaniyah, and Qandil.

40 Days Since Martyrdom of Sutoro Martyr Aryo

The Turkish airstrike campaign occurred 40 days after the martyrdom of Sutoro (Syriac Security Forces) Martyr Brahim Mikhail, nom de guerre Aryo, in a targeted Turkish drone strike. Administrator of Sutoro Elias Hasakah said that the 40th day anniversary ceremonies were held in the Church of the Virgin Mary in the Nazareth neighborhood in the city of Hasakah. Representatives of the institutions of the Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB), clerics from the city, in addition to a large number of believers attended the commemoration.

In comments to Suroyo TV, Elias Hasakah said that, on this anniversary, Sutoro affirms its support for our forces stationed on the front lines in the areas threatened by Turkish occupation.

Sunday’s Turkish airstrikes targeted Dayrik, including areas inhabited by Syriacs (Arameans–Assyrians–Chaldean).