ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – At least 50 people were killed and wounded in clashes which erupted between the Syrian army and Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) on Thursday in the Kurdish city of Qamishli in Rojava, northern Syria. A well-placed source close to the YPG confirmed to Rudaw that since "5pm clashes have stopped at Qamishli. 30 people were killed, among them six are civilians and others are Syrian army soldiers." The source added: "Sixty-seven people have been captured by PYD forces," referring to the Democratic Union Party, the political wing of the YPG. He also added that 20 people were rushed to hospital. "Qamishli is recently under the control of PYD Asayish [security forces]," the source explained. The clashes occurred in the city center on Wednesday, confirmed Shamdin Nabi, a leading member of the Kurdish National Council (KNC), a regional Kurdish political organization. The fighting began yesterday, with YPG forces trying to regain control of the area. Local activists have reported that the Asayish are asking residents to evacuate some areas. Qamishli, considered the capital of Syrian Kurdistan – or Rojava, has witnessed frequent clashes between the two military forces in the past.
