File image.
Late on February 1, a series of Turkish airstrikes hit an electrical substation located near the northeastern Syrian town of al-Malikiyah.
The North Press Agency reported that four civilians workers were wounded as a result of the airstrikes. However, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that four workers and personnel of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which controls al-Malikiyah and most of northeastern the region, were killed.
The Turkish airstrikes placed al-Malikiyah substation out of service, which resulted in a power outrage in the town and all nearby areas.
An unexploded heavy MK-84 general-purpose warhead and a drop fuel tank were found near the targeted electrical substation, indicating that the airstrikes were likely carried out by Turkish F-16 fighter jets.
Destruction caused by Turkish shelling of a power station in the countryside of #NE_Syria’s Derik
Derik – Matin Hassan – North Presshttps://t.co/lanLejc4Vz pic.twitter.com/HcBGufliwB— NORTH PRESS AGENCY – ENGLISH (@NPA_English) February 2, 2022
Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, the executive wing of the SDF, condemned the Turkish airstrikes. The administration noted that the airstrikes were a blatant violation of two separate de-escalation and ceasefire agreements on northeastern Syria Turkey agreed upon with Russia and the US in 2019.
The airstrikes on al-Malikiyah electrical substation represent a major escalation by Turkey. Last year, Ankara was reportedly planning to launch a military operation against the SDF in northern and northeastern Syria. These plans may be still on the table.
