Casualties reported in Turkish shelling on Manbij in northern Syria
MANBIJ, Syria (North Press) –
A Turkish artillery strike targeting the countryside of Manbij in northern Syria killed one woman and injured another on Thursday, according to the Manbij Military Council.
The attack occurred in the village of al-Farat, northwest of Manbij, where Turkish forces launched a barrage of artillery and mortar shells. The victims have been identified as Nadima al-Hussein al-Hamoud, 45, who lost her life, and Saada al-Hasan al-Faraj, 45, who sustained injuries.
This incident marks yet another escalation in Turkey’s ongoing military campaign in northern Syria, with multiple villages being shelled in recent days. According to local reports, the villages of Jarad and Um Jalloud were hit by seven and 17 shells respectively on Thursday, following heavy bombardments on the villages of Um Jalloud, Sayyada, and Dandania the day before.
Background on Manbij and Turkish Operations
Manbij, located in the northern Aleppo governorate, has been a flashpoint in Syria’s protracted conflict. The city, liberated from ISIS by the SDF in 2016, is strategically significant, lying along key supply routes and near Turkey’s southern border.
Since 2018, Turkey has conducted several cross-border operations in northern Syria, ostensibly to create a “safe zone” free from Kurdish forces. These operations, including Euphrates Shield and Peace Spring, have resulted in widespread displacement and allegations of human rights violations by Turkish-backed factions.
The situation in Manbij remains volatile as Turkey continues to demand the withdrawal of Kurdish-led forces from the area, a condition resisted by the SDF and its allies. The U.S., which has troops stationed in northeastern Syria, has expressed concerns over Turkey’s actions, urging restraint while calling for diplomatic solutions to address security concerns.
The latest attack near Manbij underscores the fragile security dynamics in northern Syria, where the interplay of regional and international powers has prolonged the suffering of civilians. As Turkey ramps up its cross-border operations, the need for renewed diplomatic engagement becomes ever more urgent to prevent further loss of life and ensure stability in the region.
Reporting by Ahmad Othman