The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Factional infighting | Stray bullet injures child in Ras Al-Ain (Sere Kanye) in Al-Hasakah

Al-Hasakah province: SOHR activists have documented the injury of a child by stray bullet in Tel Arqam village in armed clashes between Al-Hamza Division members and Shuhadaa Badr Division on one side and Ahrar Al-Sharqiyah and Eshrin Division on the other side, in the western countryside of Ras Al-Ain (Sere Kanye) in “Peace Spring” areas in Al-Hasakah.

According to reliable SOHR sources, the clashes came as a result of disputes due to fighters splitting and formation of new military formations due to reduction of logistic and military equipment off some factions.

Moreover, similar clashes took place in Al-Kana’es neighbourhood in Ras Al-Ain between Al-Hamza Division, Al-Sharqiyah and Eshrin Division, following splitting and expelling of members from these factions.

On March 12, SOHR activists reported that members of Shuhada Badr and Al-Hamzat expelled Al-Qua’qa’ Division from Al-Mukhtala village after besieging the village for 48 hours.

This came after Al-Qua’qa’ Division announced its split from Shuhada Badr following the reduction of logistical and military support, while the dispute between the two sides extended to other villages.

At late night of March 9, SOHR activists monitored clashes with machineguns between Turkish-backed factions and Al-Hamza Division, with the participation of Al-Sharqiyah and the 20th Division in Al-Safh village in the countryside of Ras Al-Ain (Sere Kanye), following disputes over a military position, which left several members injured, meanwhile members of Al-Hamza Division evacuated the village.

Moreover, militiamen assaulted and beat a woman for “covering up for fugitives from Al-Hamza Division.”

On the other hand, displaced people from Deir Ezzor clashes with Al-Hamza Division with machineguns and RPGs in residential neighbourhoods in Ras Al-Ain city, which ignited a state of panic among the city’s residents.