Rising tension | NDF amass troops in Al-Qamishli and open fire on Asayish checkpoint
Al-Hasakah Province – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: Reliable sources have informed SOHR that the regime-backed “National Defence Forces” (NDF) have amassed troops in Tayy neighbourhood which is under their control in Al-Qamishli city for unknown reasons. According to SOHR sources, several NDF members opened fire on a checkpoint at which members of the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) stationed at the entrance of Tayy neighbourhood. However, Asayish Forces have not replied, while no casualties have been reported.
On February 2, the Internal Security Forces “Asayish” issued a statement in which it announced the lifting of the siege on the Syrian regime-held areas in the cities of al-Qamishli and Al-Hasakah, allowing all materials to enter that area. The statement, a copy of which was obtained by the Syrian Observatory, reads: “The cities of al-Qamishli and al-Hasaka have witnessed security tension created by the Syrian regime forces in an attempt to destabilise our areas, which resulted from the brotherhood between all the components.
We, in the Internal Security Forces, are committed to the unity of Syrians and are working to end the tension created by the regime forces, and as a gesture of goodwill and to preserve the unity of Syrian soil and territory and the Syrian people, we affirm the return of normal life and allow the entry of all materials into the Syrian regime-held areas in the cities of Qamishlo and al-Hasaka.”
Meanwhile, the reopening of roads, which were closed 23 days ago after the siege imposed by “Asayish” on regime-held areas, continues.
Hours ago, SOHR sources said that that the Internal Security Sorces “Asayish” reopened the roads leading to “Al-Tay” neighbourhoods, which is under the control of the Syrian regime in the city of al-Qamishli, after the closure of roads and the siege on regime for 23 days.
Civilians were allowed to move through cars and traffic was reopened in the area, coinciding with the opening of roads that had been closed by al-Asaish in the city of al-Hasakeh in the “security square” area.
This comes in light of a looming Russian-sponsored agreement in the region leading to the end of the siege imposed by Asayish on the Syrian regime in al-Hasaka and al-Qamishli.
No information has been reported on the nature of the agreement, which would be in return for the lift of the Syrian regime’s siege of the areas of Al-Shehba in northern Aleppo countryside, Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafieh in Aleppo city, which is under the control of Kurdish forces.