A gathering of thousands paid their final respects on Saturday to four fallen Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters who lost their lives in a recent Turkish drone strike in Qamushli (Qamişlo), located in the region governed by the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).
The ceremony served as a poignant reflection of the deep-seated anger and frustration among the people in the region, arising from Turkey’s continuous assaults on Kurdish areas and its deliberate targeting of SDF fighters and officials of the AANES.
The mourners’ presence underlined the community’s united stance against Turkey’s aggression, Jazira Martyrs’ Families Council Co-chair Hêvî El Seyd remarked. Speaking at the solemn occasion, she said, “It is proved that the people have the strength and will. And we will continue to resist.”
The deadly drone strike took place on 3 August, targeting the SDF fighters on their way home for their monthly leave. Among the four fighters killed was Commander Aram Muhammad İbrahim, who had previously lost an arm in the fight against Islamic State (ISIS). Two other fighters were wounded in the attack.
The incident was not an isolated occurrence, but rather part of a wider pattern of Turkish military aggression against the SDF and other groups in the region. The timing of the attack, falling on the ninth anniversary of the ISIS massacre of Yazidis in Sinjar (Shengal), further intensified the sorrow and pain experienced by the Kurdish community.
This alarming escalation has brought Turkey’s aggressive military policy in the region into sharp focus, particularly with respect to those who have valiantly combated ISIS. According to the SDF media centre, a distressing tally of 556 ground, artillery, tank, and mortar attacks were carried out by Turkish forces in July alone. Additionally, Turkish warplanes breached Syrian airspace 58 times, and the region endured 10 drone strikes.
The relentless onslaught left nine SDF fighters dead in July, including a member of the Internal Security Forces (Asayish), along with one civilian. Moreover, 12 SDF fighters and two civilians were injured, compounding the growing concern and frustration among Kurdish communities subjected to Turkey’s military actions.
