Alert state in Syria’s Sere Kaniye due to fighting between opposition groups
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – For the second consecutive day, the Turkish forces imposed a curfew in the city of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain), which is under their control, against the backdrop of bloody fighting between Turkish-backed armed opposition groups.
The city of Sere Kaniye, on the Syrian-Turkish border, northeast Syria, witnessed intensive clashes between Sultan Murad, Ahrar al-Sharqiya and Hamza Division groups, on April 18.
A street war erupted within the city, in which machine guns, RBC and mortars were used, and several shells fell inside Turkish territory.
The clashes caused four civilian casualties, which led many to flee towards the countryside after a state of fear and panic prevailed among them against the background of the clashes that lasted for more than three hours, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
In light of the poor living conditions of the population and the absence of job opportunities, well-informed local sources told North Press that residents were prevented from leaving their homes and practicing their work due to the Turkish army’s imposition of a total ban on the city.
The source indicated that there is a heavy deployment of gunmen in the neighborhoods of the city, amid an almost complete absence of people’s move for fear of renewed clashes as a result of the ongoing security chaos.
In addition, there were reports that the Turkish army had arrested dozens of the warring groups, without their previous intervention to end the clashes.
This clash came days after another fighting took place between the opposition groups controlling the city because of their dispute over a meal.
Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) has been under the control of the Turkish forces and their affiliated armed groups since the Turkish invasion of northeast Syria in October 2019.