YPG: 16 members of ISIS and Turkey-affiliated gangs killed

YPG Press Office reported that the invading Turkish army and affiliated gangs continue their attacks on Rojava. 16 members of ISIS and Turkey-backed gangs were killed in the retaliation actions of YPG forces in Efrîn and Shaddadi.

YPG Press Office released a statement announcing details and outcomes of the attacks and violations of the invading Turkish army and affiliated gangs on Rojava during the past 5 days.

The statement, according to which 10 members of the gangs were killed and 6 others were wounded in Efrîn and 6 ISIS members were killed in Shaddadi, is as follows:

“The invading Turkish army and gangs acting under their command continue their attacks and violations on Rojava. Our forces responded to the attacks of the gangs in Efrîn and repelled the attacks on Shaddadi. Turkish aerial activity over Kobanê also continues.

Attacks and violations of the Turkish army and allied gangs for the past 5 days are as follows;

On 15.06.2017, gangs affiliated with the Turkish army attacked Basufane and Bircikê Silêman villages in Efrîn's Sherawa district with mortars. On the other hand, fields of the local people between two villages were set on fire by the gangs.

On 16.06.2017, gangs affiliated with the Turkish army attacked Basufane village in Efrîn's Sherawa district with mortars. The gangs also set fire to the villagers' fields around the hill where they are stationed. The same day, at 12:45 gangs attacked the Kerame village with mortars. Our forces responded to the attacks and damaged a vehicle of the gangs at Birindaran Hill near the Iska village in Efrîn's Cindires district. Again the same day, Turkish jets and unmanned aerial vehicles flew over Kobanê.

On 17.06.2017, Turkish jets and unmanned aerial vehicles flew over Kobanê border. The same day, gangs attacked the Karama village with mortars at 12:45.

On 18.06.2017, 14 ISIS suicide bombers attacked the Asayish point, Hospital and an YPG position in Shaddadi. Upon the intervention of our forces, 6 of these detonated themselves and 6 others were killed by our forces, while 2 surrendered to our forces. In this clash, 1 SDF fighter and 4 YPG fighters fell as martyrs, while 3 others were wounded. The arms and materials on the gangs were seized by our fighters.

On 18.06.2017, our forces conducted a retaliation action against the gangs acting under command of the Turkish army. Our forces targeted a checkpoint of the gangs at Iska Hill in Efrîn's Cindires district, and as result of the action that was carried out with mortars, 5 members of the gangs were killed and 6 others were wounded. In addition, the checkpoint of the gangs was completely destroyed. Following the action, Turkey-affiliated gangs attacked Marin and Eleqine villages with howitzers.

On 18.06.2017, gangs acting under command of the Turkish army attacked Basufane village in Efrîn's Sherawa district with tanks. They also attacked the Iska village with Katyusha and mortar fire the same day. Our forces retaliated the gangs and damaged a digger of theirs in Maranez village. Following the action, the gangs shelled Malikiye and Maranez villages with mortars.

On 19.06.2017 at 13:00, gangs acting under command of the Turkish army attacked Bêlûniyê, Girê Qestelê, Malikiyê, Maranez, Xalta, Tinnib, Mathanê Feysel and Cilbirê villages.

Our forces immediately responded to the attacks and hit the positions of the gangs in Kil Cibrin and Kefer Xaşer villages. Continued attacks by the Turkish army-affiliated gangs targeted Martyr Şilan Hill in Efrîn's Cindires district at 15:00, Basufane village in Efrîn's Sherawa district at 17:00, and Xelil village in Efrîn's Shiye district at 17:30.

In retaliation, our forces hit the gangs' positions in Kil Cibrin near Ayn Daqne, which left 5 members of the gangs dead and one other wounded. The materials found on their bodies were seized and a DshK-laden vehicle of the gangs was destroyed.

At 10:00 on 20.06.2017, gangs attacked Qestelê Hill and Maranez in Efrîn's Shera district.”