Turkish warplanes bombard Kurdish-held positions in Syria

KOBANI, Syrian Kurdistan (Kurdistan24) – Turkish fighter jets attacked positions on Saturday belonging to an ally of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the vicinity of the northern Syrian town of Jarabulus on the Turkish border.

In an official statement received by Kurdistan24, the Jarabulus Military Council said Turkish warplanes bombarded their positions at the southern outskirts of the area.

“These acts [by the Turkish army] will not deter us from our goal to protect our people against any aggression,” the statement said referring to the bombardment.

“We stress that our objective is to fight against [IS], and the Turkish army bears the responsibility for the consequences of its hostile acts which disrupt counterterrorism efforts,” the statement continued.

The report also said that the SDF-backed council did not approach the Turkish border to avoid any clashes with the Turkish army.

“The Jarabulus Military Council calls upon the international community and the international coalition forces to intervene,” the report stated.

“Lest [Turkey’s actions] lead to serious consequences on the situation in northern Aleppo and the war on terrorism,” the statement concluded.

The Jarabulus Military Council is a newly declared local unit set up with the aim of mounting its campaign to control the city with SDF’s support.

However, the Turkish-backed Syrian rebels gained control of the area on Aug. 24 with the backing of the Turkish army.

The leader of the council was assassinated on Aug. 22, and a Kurdish official said two “agents of Turkey” had been detained over the killing.

Jarabulus is a significant town on the western bank of the Euphrates River on Syria’s border with Turkey.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany