Turkish-Backed Armed Militants Attacked Civilians Near Ras Al-Ayn In North Syria - Reports

Muhammad Irfan Published October 16, 2019 | 06:06 PM

Turkish-backed armed militants early on Wednesday opened fire on civilians in a village near Syria's northern city of Ras al-Ayn as Ankara's offensive against Kurdish-led militia in the region continues, Syria's state-run SANA news agency reported, citing a Kurdish military source

ALEPPO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2019) Turkish-backed armed militants early on Wednesday opened fire on civilians in a village near Syria's northern city of Ras al-Ayn as Ankara's offensive against Kurdish-led militia in the region continues, Syria's state-run SANA news agency reported, citing a Kurdish military source.

According to the source, three people were injured as a result of the attack.

The militants entered the village near Ras al-Ayn at around 2:30 a.m. (23:30 GMT on Tuesday), the source added.

The Turkish offensive against Kurdish militia in northern Syria began on October 9 and is part of Ankara's long-standing goal to clear its border area of both Kurdish units and the Islamic State terrorist group (banned in Russia).

Ankara believes that the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces controlling the area are affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey.

Damascus views the operation as a violation of Syria's territorial integrity, and this sentiment has since been echoed by Russia, and a number of Arab and Western nations.