The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

After the death of a tribal elder by sniper shot | Clashes rage between NDF and Asayish Forces in Halkou and al-Tayy

Al-Hasakah Province – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: SOHR activists have documented the death of a tribal elder, after being shot by a sniper in Al-Qamishli city. It is worth noting that the victim was from Bani Sab’a tribe and one of the members of the delegation attended the meeting which discussed the conflict in Al-Qamishli in order to reach a solution to defuse this conflict. The man was hit with a sniper shot while he was returning from the meeting, amid accusations against the National Defence Forces (NDF) of killing him, especially since the man was close to Syria Democratic Forces.

 

On the other hand, clashes are still underway in Al-Qamishli city, as SOHR activists have reported fierce clashes between Asayish Forces and NDF since the early hours of Friday morning. The clashes are concentrated in Halkou and al-Tayy neighbourhoods in an attempt by Asayish Forces to impose full control on the two neighbourhoods, while NDF are trying to take the lead, amid confirmed reported of casualties.

 

Moreover, SOHR sources reported hearing several explosions, caused by shells fired by NDF on the area. However, no casualties have been reported so far. While several families have fled from the conflict zones for fear of bombardment and indiscriminate gunfire.

 

Last night, SOHR sources said that Asayish Forces took over arms and ammunition depot in Tayy neighbourhood in al-Qamishli city, during today’s renewed clashes with the regime-backed National Defense Forces. Asayish Forces also managed to capture several NDF members. The clashes left several members on both sides injured, some seriously.

 

During the violent clashes that broke out more than 72 hours ago, Asayish Forces managed to control parts of Tayy neighbourhood, two checkpoints, military headquarters and an ammunition depot, and expelled NDF members from these positions, while parts of Tayy and Halko neighbourhoods, the southern sector to the east and west and the entire Zanoud neighbourhood remained under the control of the National Defence Forces.

 

A few hours earlier, SOHR activists monitored renewed clashes between NDF and Asayish Forces in the neighbourhood of Tayy in al-Qamishli city, where several rockets fired by NDF hit residential areas in the neighbourhood, which led to the burning down of several houses.

 

The clashes also expanded to new frontlines, as they reached the end of Al-Khaleej street and the southern sector of neighbourhood. This development coincided with the failure of the Russian-sponsored negotiations to reach a solution to put an end to the clashes.

 

Meanwhile, SOHR activists documented the death of a child, and the wounding of five others, including two little girls, after being shot by NDF members, while they were near Tay neighbourhood in the city of al-Qamishli.

 

SOHR sources had reported violations of the ceasefire imposed in Al-Qamishli by the “National Defence Forces” (NDF), as NDF members opened sporadic fire on positions of Asayish Forces in al-Qamishli, before firing mortars and RPGs on these positions. The shells hit Qadour Bik and al-Sarayan neighbourhoods and other areas. It is worth noting that the bombardment on al-Sarayan neighbourhood burned down a house completely. Meanwhile, Russian soldiers arrived in the area to impose the ceasefire again.