An SDF Commander in Ain Issa, Aziz Kharbisan speaking to Hawar News said that Turkey has launched heavy attacks this morning at 4.30am on NE Syria along the M4 highway, with heavy weaponry, aircraft and drones.
The attacks began against villages of Saida, Maalik, the M4 highway and in the vicinity of Ain Issa district. Turkey’s mercenaries are also attacking SDF held areas, he said.
The M4 highway marks the demarcation line between the Turkish occupation forces area and areas controlled by the SDF. Commander Kharbisan said that SDF forces are responding to the attacks and are engaging in combat operations with Turkey’s merceneries.
Commander Kharbisan said that Turkey was bombarding villages inhabited by civilians as part of the attack saying civilians are at serious risk.
Commander Kharbisan said that a Syrian government observation post had been targeted wounding a Syrian government official. He added that despite the prescence of Russian and Syrian observers there was no response from the Russian forces despite civilians being targeted.
He stressed that Russia was supposed to be a guarantour of the negotiated peace settlement and a party to the formation of 3 joint observation posts in the area to monitor the peace settlement yet they had not responded to the escalated attacks.
“For the first time in a long time warplanes have bombed the area. Warplanes and reconnaissance aircraft are still hovering in the sky over of the centre of Ain Issa district and its surroundings, and we will continue the resistance to protect the people and defend our land.”
Kharbisan explained that SDF fighters have so far thwarted all attacks and attempts to occupy the area.