At least 31 civilians, including children, have been killed this week, as Turkish drone strikes and artillery attacks continue to target northern Syria, Rojava Information Centre (RIC) reported that the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have successfully defended the strategic Qara Quzaq Bridge south of Kobani (Kobanê), and downed a second Turkish drone.
RIC, a local watchdog, confirmed that, between 8 and 10 December, Turkish drone strikes and SNA shelling in North and East Syria have killed at least 31 civilians, including multiple children, with fatal attacks on civilian areas near Ain Issa, Kobani, Zirgan, and Jadah.
Farhad Shami, the SDF spokesperson, announced on 10 December that the SDF had held back Turkish-backed forces from entering Kobani. “Our forces have successfully thwarted all attacks of the Turkish occupation mercenaries on the Qara Quzaq Bridge, south of Kobani. More than a hundred mercenaries were eliminated, many of their military vehicles were destroyed,” Shami said.
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Our forces have successfully thwarted all attacks of the Turkish occupation mercenaries on the Quaraquwzaq Bridge, south of Kobani. Morre than a hundred mercenaries were eliminated, many of their military vehicles were destroyed. https://t.co/xap6zmj08H— Farhad Shami (@farhad_shami) December 10, 2024
In response to the escalating violence, the SDF agreed a US-brokered ceasefire in Manbij (Minbîc) with the Turkish-backed groups on Wednesday, pledging to withdraw fighters of the SDF-aligned Manbij Military Council from the strategic city. “Our goal is to secure a ceasefire across Syria and initiate a political process for the future of the country,” SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi said.
In efforts to achieve a resolution, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to visit Turkey this week for talks on Syria and a potential ceasefire agreement between the SDF and Ankara. This development comes just hours after the top US general responsible for the Middle East met with US troops and SDF forces.
Meanwhile, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) issued a stark alert regarding attacks by the Turkish-backed rebel Syrian National Army (SNA) on the Tishrin Dam, warning damage will cause massive flooding, catastrophic human losses, and the destruction of hundreds of villages, along with public and private infrastructure. The attacks had already caused widespread power outages across the Euphrates region, the AANES said.
Meanwhile, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) issued a stark alert regarding attacks by the Turkish-backed rebel Syrian National Army (SNA) on the Tishrin Dam, warning damage will cause massive flooding, catastrophic human losses, and the destruction of hundreds of villages, along with public and private infrastructure. The attacks had already caused widespread power outages across the Euphrates region, the AANES said.
