File image.
Early on October 4, a series of Turkish airstrikes hit border positions of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria’s northeastern region.
The main target of the airstrikes was reportedly the village of Kuran, which is located some 28 kilometers to the east of Kobane in the northeastern Aleppo countryside. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said that several border villages in the northern countryside of Raqqa were also hit by airstrikes. However, this was not confirmed by the SDF-affiliated Hawar News Agency.
No casualties or material losses were reported after the Turkish airstrikes, which were carried out in response to an attack that targeted a Turkish border post late on October 3.
The SOHR said that SDF fighters targeted a Turkish military vehicle near the border with an anti-tank guided missile, killing or wounding a number of Turkish service members. These claims are yet to be verified.
This was the second wave of Turkish airstrikes to hit SDF positions in northern and northeastern Syria since the start of the month. On October 2, a series of drone strikes hit positions of the group in the town of Tell Rifaat and the nearby village of al-Baylona in the northern Aleppo countryside. The strikes were a response to a missile attack that claimed the life of a Turkish police officer.
Turkey is apparently using its air power to deter the SDF. The Turkish military wanted to launch a new ground operation against the group last summer. However, pressure from Russia, Iran and even the United States have apparently killed Ankara’s plans.
SDF/PKK fighters are dying by the dozens in Turkish strikes. Turkey doesn’t conduct empty raids. Turkish forces always kill when they strike. SF playing down this isn’t going to help Assad/Russia in any way. There are many sources of genuine info for those who look hard.