Turkish-backed groups target SDF-linked forces near Bab

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Turkish-backed armed groups on Tuesday targeted points of the Bab Military Council in the countryside of al-Bab and Manbij.

The forces targeted the village of Tal Turan in the countryside east of Bab and the village of Kraydiya west of Manbij city with heavy weapons, the media center of the Manbij Military Council stated. The village of Jabla al-Hamra was also targeted.

Ali, a 22-year-old local commander on the front line against Turkish-backed forces, told Kurdistan 24 in February that tensions increased after America’s statement of a troop withdrawal.

“Before the withdrawal decision there were no tensions, but since the withdrawal decision there are almost daily incidents,” he noted.

Turkish-backed groups have often shot at points belonging to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)-linked troops in Arima, the countryside of Bab and Manbij.

According to Ali, Russian troops now come “to check the situation, after shooting incidents.”

“We, as the Bab Military Council, return fire if attacked,” he added.

According to Jamal Abu Juma, the General Commander of the Bab Military Council, Turkey is afraid of the Military Council that was established in 2016 to liberate the area from the Islamic State.

Turkey and Turkish-backed Islamist groups took control of Bab from the Islamic State in February 2017 to prevent SDF-linked forces from claiming al-Bab.

“They want to attack us because they don’t want us to take our rights to reclaim al-Bab city from occupation,” Juma said.

As a result, Turkish-backed groups frequently shell al-Bab.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany