A drone strike shook the northeast Syrian city of Qamishli (Qamişlo) on Monday evening, targeting a vehicle in the bustling Kornîş district.
The attack, attributed to Turkey, resulted in at least one death and several injuries, although the identities of those affected remain undisclosed. The Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria’s (DAANES) Internal Security Forces (Asayîş) have yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.
The assault took place as the targeted vehicle was navigating a traffic circle, with a significant explosion. Emergency services, including civil defence and fire brigades, promptly responded, aiding the victims and extinguishing the ensuing blaze.
This recent strike adds to a series of drone attacks by Turkey on the autonomous regions of North and East Syria. Research by the Rojava Information Centre (RIC) highlights a concerning trend of aerial assaults, with 54 locations attacked between 12 and 15 January alone, and numerous additional incidents since the start of the year.
The day prior to this incident, another drone strike targeted a rehabilitation centre for war-disabled individuals in Qamishli, killing two commanders of the Women’s Defence Units (YPJ) and injuring several war veterans.
The DAANES has vehemently condemned the attack on the centre for war-wounded, also in Qamishli, labelling it as ‘state terrorism’ by Turkey aimed at aiding the Islamic State (ISIS) in its reorganisation efforts. According to DAANES, Sunday’s attack on the centre, which provides healthcare and employment opportunities for those injured in the fight against ISIS, represents a clear indication of Turkey’s attempts to create favourable conditions for jihadist sleeper cell attacks within the autonomous region.
In January, RIC reported a total of 198 drone attacks within the region, leading to 105 fatalities and 123 injuries, affecting both combatants and civilians. Turkish drone operations have frequently targeted not only forces in the autonomous region but also Syrian government troops stationed within and outside the Turkish occupation zone, typically without any official response from Damascus.
