The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

“Euphrates Shield” areas in May | Nearly 15 attacks…ongoing security chaos…attacks and explosions…. escalating ISIS cells attacks

Since Turkish forces and their proxy factions captured several areas in Aleppo after a military operation known as “Euphrates Shield”, humanitarian crises have been emerging and worsening gradually, with violations, attacks and explosions occur almost daily. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has monitored and tracked May’s prominent developments in these areas, which could be summarised in the following main points:

 

Human casualties: figures and details

In May, SOHR activists have documented the death of 16 people in “Euphrates Shield” areas. The fatalities breakdown were as follows:
• An old man was killed with light weapons in fight between two families in Tal-Shaeer village in Jarabulus countryside.
• A man killed in family feud with Kalashnikov with al-Borg village south al-Raaei eastern Aleppo
• A woman was killed by her husband in Kaferghan village in east of Iazaz in north Aleppo countryside.
• A civilian was killed by Turkish-backed factions in al-Burj village in al-Bab city eastern Aleppo.
• A member of “20th Division” was killed by unknown gunmen in Tal-Jerja village in al-Bab countryside.
• A civilian was killed by unknown gunmen in Qibaseen village in al-Bab city.
• Three civilians were killed in a motor-bike explosion in Jarabulus countryside.
• Two policemen were killed in shooting by ISIS cell in al-Bab city.
• Three members of Turkey-backed factions were killed in clashes with ISIS cell in al-Bab city
• Two ISIS fighters were killed when one of them bombed and explosive belt.

Ongoing security chaos

“Euphrates Shield” areas experienced five factions and family fights in the Turkey-backed factions areas in north and east Aleppo countryside in May and these clashes could be summarised as follows:
On May 1, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights sources reported clashes with light weapons between two families in Tel Sha’eer village in the countryside of Jarabulus city in the east of Aleppo. According to SOHR sources, the clashes left an old man dead, while several people of the two families sustained injuries.
On May 2, activists reported clashes with machineguns, in the village of Al-Burj, south of the city of Al-Ra’i, in the areas controlled by Turkish-backed factions in the countryside of Aleppo, after shepherds looted crops in the village. The clashes resulted in the death of one person while others injured.
On May 2, reliable sources in areas under the control of Turkish forces and their proxy factions in the eastern countryside of Aleppo have informed SOHR that a state of tension is prevailing in al-Bab city between “al-Hamza Division” and “Jaysh al-Ahfad” which are operating under the banner of the Turkish-backed “National Army”. According to SOHR sources, the tension comes after “Jaysh al-Ahfad” arrested a member of “al-Hamza Division”, while “al-Hamza Division” responded by deploying its militiamen in several areas in al-Bab city, arresting several members of “Jaysh al-Ahfad”.
On May 12, SOHR activists reported growing security tension and heavy gunfire in al-Bab city near the Centre roundabout following a fight between Turkish-backed police officers and other people near the roundabout. According to SOHR sources, one of the fighting persons was hit with a gunshot fired by mistake by a member of the police, while an armed group later kidnapped this police officer.
On the other hand, members of Sultan Murad brought in military reinforcement to the area and blocked the roads to the Centre roundabout, along with evacuating checkpoints in al-Bab city’s market by the police. Also, tens of Pickup vehicles belonging to the military police with submachine guns installed over them are prepared to storm the Centre roundabout, removing the checkpoints of Sultan Murad Division and defuse the tension in the region.
On May 24, SOHR activists, in eastern Aleppo countryside, reported rising tensions in al-Bab city and countryside that are stationed under control of the Turkish forces and the factions of the operation room of “Euphrates Shield”.
Meanwhile, clashes have erupted between the military police and militiamen on Ihtimaylat neighborhood wounding more then seven civilians. Following the clashes, the military police has stormed the area and arrested at least four civilians. Moreover, in al-Bab city, the military police have launched an arrest campaign on the youth residential compound and “Olive Branch” area and arrested several civilians.

SOHR activists also documented in May six explosions and three attacks that could be summarized as the following:
On May 6, the body of a member of the “20th Division” affiliated to the Turkish-backed National Army was found, with gunshot wounds, in the village of Tel Jerji in the northern countryside of al-Bab city. It is worth noting that the dead man was from the town of Mahkan in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor.
On May 28, Syrian Observatory activists documented the death of three Turkish-backed militiamen in clashes with ISIS cell in al-Bab city in the eastern countryside of Aleppo. Also, two members of the cells were killed, including a member blew himself up with an explosive belt.

Explosions and attacks continue

On May 6, four civilians, including a child, were injured in an explosion of an IED planted in a Pick-Up car in the old Bab al-Salama camp in the countryside of Azaz, north of Aleppo.
On May 10, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activists in the northern countryside of Aleppo, reported an explosion of a motorcycle bomb in the early hours of Monday morning, on the road between the scientific research centre and Azaz in areas controlled by Turkish-backed factions.
On May 19, an IED exploded a car in Jarabulus.
On May 24, SOHR activists reported an explosion in Jarabulus city stationed under control of the National Army factions and the Turkish forces in eastern Aleppo. The accident that was caused by bombing a motorbike near al-Shariya Mosque, has murdered three civilians and wounded other seven including serious injuries.
On May 28, an IED exploded in a car of a judge affiliated to HTS in al-Bab city.
On May 12, SOHR activists reported a prisoners-swap deal between Turkish-backed factions and regime forces, as a woman, two young men and other prisoners detained in regime’s prisons have been released in return for the release of several regime soldiers and the bodies of other soldiers who were in the factions’ custody. The swap deal took place at Abu al-Zindayn crossing in the countryside of al-Bab city in eastern Aleppo, under supervision of the Syrian Red Crescent,
On May 28, Syrian Observatory activists documented the death of three Turkish-backed militiamen in clashes with ISIS cell in al-Bab city in the eastern countryside of Aleppo. Also, two members of the cells were killed, including a member blew himself up with an explosive belt. Meanwhile, the city which is under the control of the factions of “Euphrates Shield” operations room has experienced growing tension.
It seems that the series of violations in “Euphrates Shield” areas will be unstoppable as long as Turkish forces and their proxies keep breaching all international laws and charters, and with no body being able to put an end to these “grave” violations, despite SOHR repeated warnings about the dreadful humanitarian situation in the region.