ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Three civilians were reported killed in an explosion in Afrin city on Sunday – the one year anniversary of the launch of Turkey’s offensive on the Kurdish enclave in northwestern Syria.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported “the death of at least 3 people in the bombing and more than 9 others were injured.”
The three who died are civilians, and militiamen were among the wounded, the head of the Observatory told AFP.
The UK-based conflict monitor expects the death toll to rise as some of the injured are in critical condition.
The bombing was an explosion that “targeted an internal transport bus” in the city centre, according to the White Helmets, volunteer first responders working in opposition-held areas of Syria.
Their teams in Afrin were at the scene helping with rescue operations.
No group has immediately claimed responsibility.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the "terror attack" in Afrin will not deter Turkey from its missions in Afrin, and areas around Jarabulus, Anadolu Agency reported.
Afrin was taken over by Turkish forces and their allied Syrian militias after a two-month offensive that was launched on January 20, 2018. The offensive ended when the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) chose to withdraw from the largest city, also named Afrin, in order to prevent civilian casualties.
But the region has subsequently seen rising violence and insecurity.
Turkish-backed Syrian militias have looted Kurdish shops and homes, settled Arab families displaced from other parts of the country in villages and cities, stolen from lucrative olive oil businesses, and kidnapped and killed Kurdish residents deemed to have ties with the YPG.
The YPG has continued a guerilla-style resistance in the enclave – targeting militias and Turkish troops in hit-and-run raids.
In a statement marking the anniversary on Sunday, the YPG said the human rights situation in Afrin is “dire” and vowed to increase its struggle against the invading forces.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported “the death of at least 3 people in the bombing and more than 9 others were injured.”
The three who died are civilians, and militiamen were among the wounded, the head of the Observatory told AFP.
The UK-based conflict monitor expects the death toll to rise as some of the injured are in critical condition.
The bombing was an explosion that “targeted an internal transport bus” in the city centre, according to the White Helmets, volunteer first responders working in opposition-held areas of Syria.
Their teams in Afrin were at the scene helping with rescue operations.
No group has immediately claimed responsibility.
Aftermath of the attack on the 1-year anniversary of #Turkey's operation into #Afrin #Syria. No group has claimed the attack.
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) January 20, 2019
Background: https://t.co/uBW0Ccbyzk pic.twitter.com/hgi5cHPN1R
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the "terror attack" in Afrin will not deter Turkey from its missions in Afrin, and areas around Jarabulus, Anadolu Agency reported.
Afrin was taken over by Turkish forces and their allied Syrian militias after a two-month offensive that was launched on January 20, 2018. The offensive ended when the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) chose to withdraw from the largest city, also named Afrin, in order to prevent civilian casualties.
But the region has subsequently seen rising violence and insecurity.
Turkish-backed Syrian militias have looted Kurdish shops and homes, settled Arab families displaced from other parts of the country in villages and cities, stolen from lucrative olive oil businesses, and kidnapped and killed Kurdish residents deemed to have ties with the YPG.
The YPG has continued a guerilla-style resistance in the enclave – targeting militias and Turkish troops in hit-and-run raids.
In a statement marking the anniversary on Sunday, the YPG said the human rights situation in Afrin is “dire” and vowed to increase its struggle against the invading forces.
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