Kurdish forces, Syrian army clash in Qamishlo

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdish security forces and the Syrian army clashed on Saturday in the city of Qamishli (Qamishlo) in northeastern Syria, a local security source told Kurdistan 24.

The fighting took place on Hasakah Street, the source added, and resulted in the death of one local Kurdish security member and 11 from the Syrian army who were passing through the area in a three-vehicle convoy. 

Later, a statement posted on the official website of the local Kurdish forces read, "A patrol of the regime consisting of three cars on Saturday morning entered the areas of control of our forces in Qamishlo city and the arrest of unarmed civilians and as they passed from one of our military points, the patrols targeted our forces with light and medium weapons and our forces responded to this attack, where 11 elements of the regime have been killed and 2 members were wounded and due to this clashes 7 of our comrades were martyred and one wounded."

The statement continued, "We in the internal security forces in North Syria renew to our martyrs and our people to preserve the gains of the revolution and the people and we promise them to confront any party that tries to attack the gains and unity of the people or try to undermine the security and safety of citizens."

Qamishlo, on the border with Turkey, has been under a Kurdish self-rule administration for the past few years, but Syrian government forces retain control in some areas, including the city's airport.

Editing by John J. Catherine