The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Death toll update | 21 Turkish-backed militiamen killed and 10 others injured in Ain Issa ambush

SOHR activists have documented further fatalities in the ambush carried out by SDF nearby Ain Issa in northern Al-Raqqah, bringing death toll of the Turkish-backed factions to 21 militiamen killed as a result of the explosion of landmines field set up by SDF in Mu’alaq village on the outskirts of Ain Issa. The death toll is expected to rise further as the ambush have left ten militiamen injured, some seriously.

 

Observatory have just disclosed further details about the ambush carried out by Syria Democratic Forces in the early hours of Tuesday morning on the outskirts of Ain Issa in northern Al-Raqqah. According to SOHR sources, a group of at least 30 Turkish-backed militiamen sneaked into Mu’alaq village on the outskirts of Ain Issa, while SDF withdrew from their positions in the village after setting up an ambush using landmines. The landmines exploded just after the factions’ militiamen had entered the village, while SDF showered the area with rockets for hours.

 

The ambush left a great number of casualties among the Turkish-backed factions, as 18 militiamen were killed and 13 others were injured, some seriously.

 

Separately, reliable sources informed SOHR that Chechen and Uzbek members operating for Russian forces were photographing SDF military positions in Ain Issa district and surrounding areas and delivered these photos to Turkish forces. It is worth noting that these positions were repeatedly shelled after information and coordinates had been given to Turkey.

 

SOHR sources reported earlier this morning violent clashes between Turkish-backed factions and SDF in Mu’allaq village nearby Ain Issa in northern Al-Raqqah. According to SOHR sources, SDF ambushed a group of Turkish-backed factions while sneaking into SDF positions in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

 

The clashes left 11 fatalities among the Turkish-backed factions, while several SDF fighter were killed and wounded. The death toll is expected to rise further as several combatants were injured, some seriously. There are also unconfirmed reports of more casualties.

 

The clashes, which renewed this morning in an attempt be the factions to recover their fatalities, were accompanied by exchange of violent and intensive shelling between both sides. Moreover, Turkish forces shelled positions in Ain Issa and surrounding areas in the early hours of Tuesday morning.