Published 11:45 IST, November 7th 2019
Syria: 30 killed in clashes between Kurds and Turkey-backed rebels
Clashes in the northern part of Syria between the Kurdish militants and the Turkey-backed rebels has resulted in 30 people losing their lives in violent attacks
30 have been left dead due to violent clashes in Syria between Turkish-backed rebels and Kurdish militia. According to reports, the intensity of the battle Kurdish militants and the rebels increased on the outskirts of Ayn Issa in the northern part of the Raqqa province alongside airstrikes and shelling by the rebels against the Kurdish militants of the SDF (Syrian Democratic forces).
Turkey's military action against Syria
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 305 Syrian Democratic Forces fighters, 24 Syrian government officials and 353 Turkey-backed rebels have been killed since Turkey started its large scale military actions in the northern part of Syria. Turkey began its attack against the SDF and the Kurdish People's Protection Units also known as the YPG as the capital city of Ankara branded the militants as terrorists and separatists.
A few deals have been agreed in order to stop the assaults in Syria with the help of Russia's mediation. Although, Turkey recently stated that the SDF militants had not withdrawn their presence from a few areas that were near the Turkish border.
A series of arguments between Turkey and Syria
Ambassadors of Turkey and Syria clashed in their first meeting at the United Nations Security Council on October 24. The clash comes as Turkey launched its military action in Syria after Donald Trump pulled out the American forces. Turkey's ambassador, Feridun Sinirlioglu, called the Turkish military stance a finite operation to counter-terrorism in order to put an end to the terror threat alongside the border they share with Syria. He further added their aim was also to respect and enforce Syria's territorial integrity and unity.
Bashar Ja'afari, Syria's ambassador told the United Nations council members that Syria is completely against Turkey's cross-border offensive and condemns the justification given by Turkey to justify the actions they term as "counter-terrorism" measures.
In response to this, Feridun completely rebuffed his Syrian counterpart's attempt to call Turkey's counter-terrorism measures as something offensive. The Turkish ambassador further added that Operation Peace Spring was limited in nature.
'Terrorists'
Turkey views the Kurdish fighters in the northeastern part of Syria, who also fought alongside the American troops to eliminate the extremist group ISIS, as "terrorists" because of their connections to the Kurdistan Workers Party which is responsible for a 35-year long war against the Turkish state.
(With inputs from agencies)
Updated 17:30 IST, November 7th 2019