New Wave Of Turkish Airstrikes Hit Kurdish, Army Positions In Northern Syrian (Video)

Late on November 26, a series of Turkish airstrikes targeted positions of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) in norther Syria.

The airstrikes hit the outskirts of the towns of al-Malikiyah, Sewarxa and Maraanaz as well as the Menagh Military Airbase in the northern countryside of Aleppo. Following the airstrikes, the Turkish military carried out a series of artillery strikes on the same areas.

Heavy material losses were reported after the Turkish strikes. However, there were no casualties in the ranks of the SDF or the SAA.

Syrian government forces have been present in the targeted areas since 2018 to maintain peace under an agreement that was brokered by Russia.

The Turkish strikes, which were the most violent in recent days, were carried out in the framework of Operation Claw-Sword. Turkey launched the operation against Kurdish forces in Syria and Iraq on November 20 in response to the November 13 Istanbul bombings.

Ankara claims that the deadly terrorist attack was orchestrated by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the People’s Protection Units (YPG), the core faction the SDF.

The new wave of strikes came following a warning from Russia to the SDF of a possible Turkish invasion into northern Syria. Senior officers in the Russian military grouping in Syria have reportedly asked the group to hand over its territory along the border line with Turkey to the SAA’s 5^th Corps to prevent the invasion. However, the group refused.

Turkey will likely press forward with Operation Claw-Sword until it secure at least some political and military concessions from the SDF.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC:

• Turkish Forces Shell Syrian Army Reinforcements Near SDF-Held Kobane
• Russia Asked SDF To Leave Large Parts Of Northeastern Syria To Prevent Turkish Invasion