At least 21 members of pro-Turkish factions die after an attack on a Kurdish position in northern Syria

Follow live the latest news on the conflict in the Middle East

The SDF accuses pro-Turkish armed groups of violating the US-brokered ceasefire

Dec. 19 (EUROPA PRESS) –

At least 21 members of pro-Turkish factions have been killed and others wounded by the Manbij Military Council coalition, created by several Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) groups, after pro-Turkish Syrian rebel forces reportedly attacked a position in the Tishrin Dam, about 25 kilometers from the city of Manjib, despite the ceasefire negotiated in the area.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in London but with informants in the country, has reported the death toll, indicating that the attack took place in a residential area and that violent clashes broke out with heavy weapons. In addition, Kurdish militias have shot down a Turkish drone over the area, attempting to capture the dam.

However, the FDS have assured through a statement published on their Telegram channel that they have killed 37 “mercenaries” and that they have injured “dozens” of them, while they have stated that they have destroyed a total of five military vehicles. within the framework of its operations. During the early hours of the morning, he reported that pro-Turkish forces are “intensely” shelling towns south of the city of Kobane with artillery, near the border with Türkiye.

Before the attack, a Turkish drone attacked the Kobani FM radio station in Telat Barkal, Ain al Arab, causing material damage, although no victims have been reported as a result of this event. All of these attacks are violations of the ceasefire agreement agreed between the SDF and pro-Turkish forces with US mediation.

SDF ACCUSES PRO-TURKISH ARMED GROUPS OF VIOLATING CEASEFIRE

The SDF has accused “the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries” of violating the ceasefire mediated by Washington between the Syrian National Army (SNA) militia, backed by Ankara, and the SDF, a coalition of Kurdish-Arab militias that have in the Popular Protection Units (YPG) to one of its most prominent elements.

“Despite the reassuring efforts made by the US, (…) they have continued their attacks yesterday and today in many areas in the vicinity of Kobane, the Tishrin dam and Ain Issa,” they denounced in a statement, in which they have confirmed that their forces are “taking up defensive positions to confront attacks and defend all areas of northern and eastern Syria, especially Kobane.”

In this sense, they have criticized that “the Turkish occupation state and its mercenaries are trying to exploit the truce to continue their attacks and colonial plans and deceive public opinion.” “It is no longer hidden that they are trying, with all their arrogance, to occupy the region and displace its population,” they concluded.

For its part, the United States Government has considered that “the ceasefire in Manbij has been extended and is being maintained”, despite the fact that the situation in the area “is fluid”, but that they are not “seeing large-scale fighting.” nor large-scale incursions,” said State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel at a press conference.

On the other hand, the Syrian Civil Defense, popularly known as ‘white helmets’, has reported on its profile on the social network X that a fire “of unknown cause” has occurred in the sports stadium in the city of Aleppo. Their teams have extinguished the fire and cooled the area after at least two hours of work, ensuring that there have been no civilian casualties.