Syrian opposition groups disperse protesters with live bullets in Turkish-controlled Sere Kaniye

SERE KANIYE, Syria (North Press) – Turkish-backed armed opposition groups in Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) countryside, northeastern Syria, fired live bullets at a crowd of protesters from several villages on Monday, after their fields were set in fire.

According to what an informed source told North Press, villagers in the eastern countryside of Sere Kaniye gathered in front of the headquarters of one of the armed groups to demand compensation for the losses incurred after the fire destroyed their wheat crops, in addition to complaining about robbing and looting they are subjected to by the armed groups.

The source added that Turkish-backed armed opposition groups and Turkish forces dispersed the protesters with live bullets, without reports on injuries, explaining that the protesters wanted to head for the Turkish base established in the village of Daoudia, 20km southeast of Sere Kaniye. They were forcibly prevented from access by the armed groups' members and Turkish patrol which was present there.

The residents were unable to deliver their complaints because they were forcibly prevented by the armed groups. According to the residents of the region, they are repeatedly subjected to looting and deliberate pillage of their property by the members of Turkish-backed armed groups.

The Turkish forces and their affiliated armed opposition groups have controlled the cities of Sere Kaniye, Tel Abyad, and their surrounding villages since last October after a military operation launched by Turkey in northern Syria.

This is not the first time that protests have erupted against Turkish forces and their affiliated armed opposition groups in northern Syria. On June 5, villagers protested against the groups controlling the city of Tel Abyad, demanding the release of local residents who have been imprisoned without trial since the operation began.