On November 12, a Turkish military convoy passing near the town of Kafr Shīl in the occupied area of Afrin in Syria’s Aleppo was struck with an improvised explosive device (IED).
The IED was reportedly uncovered by Turkish troops. However, it went off as Turkish service members were attempting to dismantle it. The large explosion was heard throughout Afrin.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, several Turkish service members were wounded in the explosion. An armored vehicle was also damaged.
A day earlier, a similar attack took place in western Aleppo. A Turkish convoy moving equipment from an observation post located in the town of Kabtan al-Jabal was targeted with an IED. Several soldiers were wounded.
No group has claimed responsibility for any of the two attacks, thus far. While Kabtan al-Jabal attack was likely carried out by militants attempting to sabotage the ceasefire in Greater Idlib, Kurdish groups may be behind the new attack in Afrin.
Thousands of Turkish troops are now deployed in northeastern, northern and northwestern Syria. Ankara is planning to stay in the war-torn country for the long term.
If it’s Afrin it’s most likely the ALF, they don’t like the fact the Turks are squatting in their old homes, they want them back.
Rising use of IEDs as I predicted a year ago. This is a sign of local/indigenous Syrian groups beginning to form grassroots resistance to foreign occupiers.
Once the people begin to fight back, you’re fucked, Turkey.