Five civilians injured in Tel Abyad Shooting by Turkey-Backed Gunmen
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – Five civilians were injured on Monday evening when members of the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) opened fire in a village west of Tel Abyad, north of Raqqa.
Residents of Sukariya village told North Press that a dispute between a local villager and a fighter from the SNA’s Faylaq al-Majd faction escalated into armed violence. According to witnesses, the fighter left briefly before returning with more than ten fellow militants, who began shooting randomly in the village streets.
The gunfire sparked panic among residents and left five people wounded with varying degrees of injury. Eyewitnesses confirmed that the attack caused widespread fear, forcing families to remain indoors as the armed group roamed through the area.
Twl Abyad and its surrounding countryside have witnessed repeated episodes of infighting and shootings among SNA factions and affiliated groups. Local residents say these incidents have created a climate of insecurity, as complaints filed against armed members are often ignored without accountability.
The region has been under Turkish control since October 2019, when Turkish forces and allied factions launched a military operation against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which had previously secured the area as part of their broader campaign against ISIS. Since then, residents report persistent instability, arbitrary shootings, and property violations by the armed groups in control.
The latest incident underscores the deteriorating security situation in Tel Abyad, where civilians continue to bear the brunt of lawlessness.