The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Factional rivalry for smuggling routes | Two Turkish militiamen injured in clashes near Turkish border north of Afrin

Aleppo province: Violent clashes with medium and light machine guns have erupted between Al-Hamza Division and Al-Mu’tasim in neighbourhoods of Za’ara village in Bulbul district in Afrin countryside, north-west of Aleppo.

According to SOHR activists, the violent clashes broke out between the two factions over rivalry for controlling routes used for people smuggling into Turkey.

The clashes left two members of Al-Mu’tasim Division injured, amid residents’ appeals that the “National Army” factions should intervene to stop the fighting between the two factions, as bullets fell on civilian houses.

Yesterday, SOHR activists reported that heavy clashes with medium and heavy machine guns erupted between two groups of the Turkish-backed Al-Sultan Murad Division in Deir Sowan in Shiran district in Afrin countryside, due to disputes over revenues of smuggling people to Turkish territories. However, no casualties were reported.