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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — At least 18 people were killed and 23 were wounded in artillery shelling in the Syrian city of Afrin, which is under the control of factions loyal to Ankara, and a hospital was hit, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Saturday.
A doctor, three hospital employees, three women and a child were among 14 civilians who died in the attack.
"Most of the victims died in shelling on the hospital," the observatory said in a statement, noting that the death toll is likely to rise due to the large number of wounded.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) denied any involvement in the shelling, with commander Mazloum Abdi condemning the attack as a "violation of international law."
The Kurdish region of Afrin, located in Aleppo province, was captured by Turkish forces and their allies from the opposition factions in March 2018.
Similar to the areas controlled by factions loyal to Ankara, the area regularly witnesses assassinations, attacks and explosions.
The ongoing conflict in Syria has resulted in around half a million deaths, according to the observatory, and the displacement of millions.
Updated at 08:25am, June 16
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