Syrian Kurds and pro-Assad militias clash in Hasaka

HASAKA, Syria (Kurdistan24) – A Syrian regime security element was killed and about 13 people wounded when clashes erupted late Sunday night between pro-Assad militias and Kurdish internal security forces (Asayish) in Hasaka, northeastern Syria.

Kurdistan24 learned from Asayish that heavy clashes broke out after Syrian government security forces and pro-Assad militias opened fire on the Kurdish-controlled areas of Hasaka.

The pro-Assad militias targeted the civilians and an Asayish patrol in the Kurdish districts of Salehiya and Mufti.

According to Kurdish security sources, the clashes began at about 9:00 p.m. local time and lasted for nearly four hours.

Asayish confirmed that 13 people, including two children, two female Kurdish security, and nine civilians were injured.

The Kurdish security added that one security element was killed, but the Syrian government’s official media has not revealed the death toll yet.

Syrian government forces could not be reached for comment.

The tribes’ council of Hasaka, which contains Arab and Kurdish representatives, discussed a ceasefire between the conflicting parties that was eventually held on early Monday morning.

The Ministry of Interior in the Kurdish Administration of Rojava (Syrian Kurdistan) said in a statement that the Asayish answered the truce request of the tribes’ council.

However, the statement added that the pro-Assad militias resumed shooting the Kurdish areas of the city and that the clashes are ongoing

“We condemn these vicious acts by the regime [Syrian Government] which is trying to ignite sedition in the city and the region [of Rojava],” the statement said.

“Such acts of assault on safe neighborhoods lead to confusion among civilians, and we will repel these acts because our duty is to protect all components of the city of Hasaka, and achieve peace and security,” the statement added.

On May 18, heavy clashes broke out in Hasaka when Syrian government troops interfered with high school final exams taking place in the Kurdish-controlled areas of the city. The violence resulted in the death of two civilians.

Hasaka is the capital of the surrounding province of the same name. The city is under the shared control of the government forces and Kurdish forces (Asayish and YPG).

Some professional institutions in the city are still operating and are funded by the Syrian government.

These include the Public Directorate of Education, the Justice Palace, Directorate of Migration and Passport Issuance, and many other public departments.

[A bird flies near a torn Syrian national flag in the city of Qamishlo, Syria, April 21, 2016. (Photo: Reuters/Rodi Said)]

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany

(Kurdistan24 correspondents Heybar Othman and Dilovan Chetto contributed to this report from Hasaka city)