Turkish convoy runs over woman, child in northern Syria: Monitor

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A Turkish military vehicle ran over a woman and child on Monday, killing them on the spot, and sparking protests in northern Syria, according to a war monitor. 

The reported incident took place in Atarib, Aleppo, as two Turkish armored vehicles passed through the town, UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) claimed. Following the death of a woman and a child, angry onlookers gathered around the convoy to prevent them from leaving the town, the monitor added. 

There was no official comment from Turkish officials. 

1/2 The residents of Atareb city (west of Aleppo) have expelled a Turkish convoy after a Turkish armored vehicle ran over a woman and her child, killing both of them instantly.
Turkey has no friends in Syria except for some mercenaries for Turkish salaries. pic.twitter.com/vJvkerxiMn

— Farhad Shami (@farhad_shami) December 5, 2022

SOHR added that this was not an isolated incident as a child was reportedly killed on November 3 after being run over by a Turkish military vehicle in the Kurdish city of Sari Kani (Ras al-Ayn).

Residents have complained about the manner in which Turkish vehicles drive through towns and villages in northern Syria. 

Turkish troops have been deployed in northern Syria since Ankara launched three major military operations against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria since 2016, invading several Kurdish towns, such as Afrin. Syrian armed groups, affiliated to Turkey, have been accused of committing human rights violations, killings and abductions as well as forcing the displacement of Kurds.

Turkey’s most recent incursion began on November 20, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned a ground invasion would follow.