SDF: Turkish attacks resulted in tragic civilian and military casualties

The Syrian Democratic Forces General Command (SDF) issued a statement on the losses and damage caused by the Turkish state’s offensive against Northern and Eastern Syria (NES). Turkey has launched a large-scale offensive against the NES using the Ankara attack as a pretext, the SDF said, adding that the Turkish state claimed that the attack originated from its territory, despite the lack of evidence to support its accusations. The SDF reported that the strikes caused many casualties, killing 15 people, including 8 civilians, 6 members of the internal security forces safeguarding the targeted civilian facilities, and one SDF fighter.
The statement continued: “This cowardly and treacherous Turkish assault targeted civic services, economic hubs, energy facilities (oil and electricity), water resources, military installations, civilian structures, and inhabited villages. The Turkish occupation state is trying to divert attention from its internal social, economic, and political crises. They aim to export these issues abroad by aggressing neighboring countries. Additionally, they persistently attempt to legitimize their occupation of northern and eastern Syrian territories.”
Turkish aggression fuels ISIS re-emergence
The statement went on to say that the Turkish military launched a fierce offensive in the evening and night using more than 30 drones, targeting densely populated areas, civilian service facilities, and civilian structures using both warplanes and heavy weapons. It added that the strikes tragically killed both civilians and fighters and wounded dozens of others. The attacks also caused extensive damage to vital infrastructure. It was also underlined that the attacks by the Turkish state are reinvigorating ISIS and providing it with resources to carry out more terrorist acts, posing a significant threat not only to the region but also to the global community.
The Syrian Democratic Forces announced in its statement that it has diligently fulfilled its responsibilities and will continue to defend its people, protect the territory, and ensure the security and stability of the region, adding: “It is crucial to reiterate that we will respond vigorously to any attack that threatens the security and stability of our areas. The operations conducted by our forces yesterday are a direct retaliation to the Turkish occupation’s assaults on our regions. The international coalition forces targeted a Turkish occupation UAV yesterday as it approached one of their bases. However, it is imperative for them and Russia to adopt the same stance when it comes to countering the Turkish occupation’s attacks on civilians, service institutions, and public facilities.”