Turkish warplanes start shelling northeast Syria, SDF spokesperson says

Turkish warplanes and artillery have begun shelling Syria’s predominantly Kurdish northeastern town of Serekaniye, SDF spokesperson Mustafa Bali said on Wednesday.

SEREKANIYE (Kurdistan 24) – Turkish warplanes and artillery have begun shelling Syria’s predominantly Kurdish northeastern town of Serekaniye, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) spokesperson Mustafa Bali said on Wednesday. 

A source in Serekaniye told Kurdistan 24 that four warplanes were hovering over the town, and there is heavy artillery shelling the silos near the border.

According to local media, the Turkish warplanes are bombarding Safeh village, located five kilometers on the western outskirts of Serekaniye. It added that Turkish artillery shelled the Mahatta and Malla Darwish main streets in Serekaniye.

Waves of people in Serekaniye began to leave their homes on Wednesday to flee the Turkish shelling.

Reports also said the Turkish warplanes began bombarding Ain Issa, north of Raqqa, as well as shelling in the town of Tal Abyad.

Local media said the Turkish artillery is also shelling silos in the eastern outskirts of Qamishli city. The artillery has shelled an SDF police center in Segirka village, three kilometers in the eastern outskirts of Qamishli.

People in Qamishli also began to leave their homes for fear of being caught in the Turkish bombardment.

The Turkish shelling has wounded seven civilians so far, including two children. Four people were injured in Tal Abyad, and three in the eastern outskirts of Qamishli, local media reported.

It appears strange that the Turkish army warplanes and artillery have targeted civilian areas only along the cities and towns in northeast Syria. Reporters on the ground say the purpose of the Turkish operation is to push civilians to evacuate the area, then the land invasion by tanks and armored vehicles might start.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany

Turkish warplanes start shelling northeast Syria, SDF spokesperson says
Turkish warplanes start shelling northeast Syria, SDF spokesperson says
Turkish warplanes start shelling northeast Syria, SDF spokesperson says
Turkish warplanes start shelling northeast Syria, SDF spokesperson says