25 dead in unprecedented clashes between the Syrian factions supported by Ankara in Afrin after a large-scale attack against Kurdish fighters and the displacement of tens of thousands of people
The northern city of Afrin is witnessing unprecedented internal fighting between pro-Turkish Syrian factions that killed at least 25 fighters and caused panic among the population, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights in a new toll.
Turkish forces have been in control of the Kurdish-majority Afrin region of Aleppo in the wake of a major offensive against Kurdish militants and tens of thousands of displaced people since March.
The head of the Observatory Rami Abdul Rahman told Agence France-Presse that “violent clashes continue going on in several neighborhoods within the city of Afrin, the majority of the factions are engaged with Turkish support against the group of the martyrs of the east, causing the killing of 25 fighters from both sides”.
The preliminary toll of the observatory killed 11 fighters.
About 200 fighters, mostly from Deir Al Zour (east), belong to this faction, which was one of the Ankara-backed factions that took part in the attack on Afrin.
The clashes, which broke out on Saturday and broke through the headquarters of this faction, according to Abdul Rahman, in the context of “a struggle for influence locally and after the rebellion of this faction to several decisions taken by the Turkish forces, apart from being accused of several violations in the city”.
According to Abdul Rahman, the unprecedented clashes in the city since the control are aimed at “canceling” the existence of this faction entirely.
Turkish tanks patrolled the city streets at night amid panic among civilians, he said.
According to the Observatory, Turkish forces have imposed a total curfew on civilians in the city since Saturday night.
The National Army, which includes all Syrian-backed Syrian factions in northern Syria, said in a statement on Twitter that “the alertness of our forces is to pursue groups of outlaw gangs”.
The region has been in a state of security chaos since the Ankara-backed factions took control of it.
Residents in the city of Afrin told AFP last month about the widespread harassment they suffer, forcing them to stay in their homes and not to leave unless necessary.
The United Nations and several human rights organizations have documented widespread violations, looting and ransom-related kidnappings, as well as the denial of access to their agricultural fields and the imposition of royalties on them.
The attack on the Afrin region, according to the United Nations, forced half of its 320,000 population to flee.
Most of them have not been able to return to their homes yet.
Meanwhile, and according to recent hours reports the Shuhada Al Sharqya fighters have surrendered to the so Called National Army backed by Turkey.
