Exercising their legitimate right to self-defense in response to ongoing attacks by the Turkish occupation and its affiliated mercenaries, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) forces conducted a targeted operation on July 17, 2024, against a group of Turkish-backed mercenaries in the village of Khirbet al-Sha’ir, Zarkan district. The operation resulted in the elimination of three mercenaries, with two others sustaining serious injuries.

In a statement about the operation, SDF Media Center said: “Our forces affirm that will not hesitate to respond to the aggressions of the Turkish occupation against our people and territory, and they have the full legitimate right to respond to these aggressions, a right guaranteed by all international and human rights laws and conventions.”