Dozens among opposition groups killed and injured in Syria’s Raqqa countryside
AIN ISSA, Syria (North Press) – More than 30 militants of the Turkish-backed armed opposition groups were killed and injured on Monday night, in a failed infiltration attempt in the vicinity of Ain Issa, north of Raqqa.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in Britain, said that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) killed 21 and injured 10 members of pro-Turkish armed groups in an ambush on Monday night.
The town includes points for the Syrian government forces and a base for the Russian forces, which were stationed in the town following understandings with the SDF last year during the Turkish invasion on northern Syria.
Turkey signed two ceasefire agreements with the Russians and Americans in October 2019, but Ain Issa is still witnessing repeated bombing and targeting.
The Syrian Observatory indicated that the armed group infiltrated the village of Mu’allaq in the outskirts of Ain Issa, where the SDF withdrew from its positions in the village after setting up an ambush of mines which exploded with the attackers after they entered the village.
In a statement, the SDF announced the killing of 18 militants of the opposition armed groups, including the leader Ismail Al-Eido, a former emir of the Islamic State (ISIS).
The SDF added that the opposition armed groups tried to infiltrate the village of al-Malikiyah in the vicinity of Ain Issa from several directions, and that the town was bombed.
The statement noted that the attacks and the bombing targeted many civilian sites and caused material damage to civilian property, in addition to damaging the town’s power network.
An SDF commander had earlier told North Press that the Russian forces are watching bombing that affects the town of Ain Issa and the surrounding villages.
The military commander said that the Turkish violations has increased during the past few days.
He pointed out that the residents of Ain Issa town did not leave their homes, despite the indiscriminate shelling.
The SDF said that four of its fighters were wounded, and confirmed that the clashes were still continuing.