Latest from the Turkish state's Afrin operation

The Turkish army’s invasion operation against Afrin Canton and Northern Syria has left one week behind.

We publish the ‘Daily News Bulletin’ by the ‘Information Centre of Afrin Resistance’ that is located in Afrin and hence based on primary sources, providing information from the invasion and resistance of the Afrin Canton.

The Arab Youth Movement of Shehba region joined the Afrin Resistance against the occupying Turkish army and its affiliated Islamist groups.

As a result of Turkish artillery shelling, multiple houses were damaged in the Yezili village of Basufanê, of the Shêrawa district. Although there were material damages, there was no death or injury.

Heavy clashes occurred between the Turkish forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Rajo and Bulbul districts. Two Turkish tanks were destroyed in Rajo.

The international fighters arrived at Afrin to join the Resistance, saying that would not stay silence in the face of such an invasion. “The world has turned a blind eye to Afrin. Nobody knows what really is going on here. But we are determined to protect our soil. No matter it is against ISIS terrorism or Turkey’s state terrorism,” said Tolhildan, a French volunteer.

In another show of solidarity, a group of feminists from the Maya people in Guatemala expressed their solidarity with the Afrin Resistance.

The Community Defence Forces (HPC) distributed weapons to the people of Bilbil, as they requested, to defend themselves against the invasion. They pledged to not allow the invading Turkish army to occupy a small portion of their land.

At around 04:00, Turkish warplanes bombed Mabata district centre. One of the bombs hit a family house killing seven of them.

Strong clashes were recorded in the vicinity of Mamala village of Rajo.

The Turkish army targeted the village of Khalilka with warplanes and artillery. The civilians were afraid of experiencing another massacre, similar to what happened in Mabata.

Heavy clashes also occurred in Mamala village.

In videos uploaded on Youtube, the local people expressed their determination to resist the Turkish invasion. In a message to the Turkish president, one resident: “We are civilians. Why attacking us? What does Erdogan want from us? We are not afraid of his warplanes and tanks. We will fight to the end and not surrender our lands to Erdogan.” A Kurdish mother added: “We are on our lands; we didn't attack anyone. Why is he (Erdogan) bombarding and shelling our villages? What does he want from us?”

The SDF released a balance sheet of the ongoing clashes from January 20 to date. According to this, 308 Turkish soldiers and Islamist fighters, including four officers and one ringleader, have been killed.

Moreover, 59 civilians have been killed and 134 wounded by the Turkish army. Also, 43 SDF fighters lost their lives during the clashes.

SDF said that despite having technological advantages, NATO weapons and German tanks, the Turkish army couldn’t make any advances against SDF fighters and suffered heavy losses. The balance sheet of the Turkish attack against Afrin, Manbij, and Kobane for one week, as released by SDF is as follows:

AFRIN

1. 699 artillery and mortar attacks.


2. 191 airstrikes.


3. One helicopter attack.


4. Continuous reconnaissance planes’ activities.

5. 136 clashes with Turkish army and gangs.

6. 308 attackers (Turkish soldiers and its affiliated jihadist groups) were killed and two were wounded. These numbers include four Turkish officers and leader of Liwa Al Semarqen Ehmet Fayiz. SDF took possession of bodies of four Turkish soldiers.

7. SDF forces confiscated several military equipment and documents of the Turkish army.

8. Four “Akrep” type armored vehicles, 4 armored military vehicles, one truck with a heavy machine gun, two tanks, one bulldozer and an automobile were hit by SDF.

9. The results of seven clashes with the Turkish army couldn’t be clarified.

10. 43 SDF fighters have been killed. This includes three YPJ fighters.

11. 53 civilians were killed and 134 civilians were wounded as a result of the Turkish army’s attack.

MANBIJ

Turkish affiliated jihadist groups attacked SDF military positions with heavy machine guns.

KOBANE

The Turkish army attacked Zormixar village with heavy weapons three times.

CIZIRE CANTON

Three civilians were killed as a result of Turkish artillery and mortar attacks.