File photo
As Syrian regions liberated from terror by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) joined in on celebrations following Turkey’s elections, twenty terrorists were killed and dozens others injured after heavy clashes erupted in the city of Raqqa between factions of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party terror group.
Conflict took place between Arab militia Thuwwar al-Raqqa, which joined the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in 2015, and the Democratic Union Party (PYD), the Syrian offshoot of the PKK terror group.
All attempts at mediation by the U.S. and France in an effort to put an end to the conflict in Raqqa have so far proven unsuccessful.
Reinforcements dispatched from Hasakah
As clashes intensified in Raqqa, PKK terrorists imposed a general curfew in the city, after civilians took to the streets to protest against the terror group in Raqqa and its vicinity.
Three civilians were killed and eight women were wounded after PKK terrorists opened fire on a protest in al-Battani.
PKK terrorists summoned reinforcements from the Hasakah cities of Qamishli and Yaroubiyah, threatening to bomb residential neighborhoods if clashes continued.
The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. The PKK has been conducting armed violence in the southeastern part of Turkey since 1984. More than 40,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the three-decade long conflict.
Over 400 civilians held hostage by PKK
Hundreds of civilians in Raqqa’s city center and its outskirts are trapped due to the ongoing clashes in the region.
Over 400 civilians who came from numerous towns to visit relatives in the city are said to be held hostage by PKK terrorists.
Among those trapped is the infant son of the commander of the Thuwwar al-Raqqa Brigade Abu Issa.
Thousands of civilians are currently under siege by the PKK in the region under the pretext of resistance against possible conflict in Raqqa, banning the entry of all food and medical supplies into the city, in addition to suspending all humanitarian aid activities.
The Free Syrian Army (FSA) celebrated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s reelection by unfurling a giant poster bearing Erdoğan’s picture with the background of the Turkish and Syrian revolution flags on Mt. Dharmik.Turkey held presidential and parliamentary elections on Sunday, in which President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was re-elected, with his Justice and Development (AK) Party gaining the majority of parliament seats.The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) had destroyed posters of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) ringleader Abdullah Öcalan, which marked Mt. Dharmik since 2013.European leaders congratulate Erdoğan on election winTurkish warplanes annihilated the Öcalan silhouette as part of Operation Olive Branch, which was initiated on Jan. 20 to clear Syria’s northwestern Afrin of terror elements.Mt. Dharmik was used as a PKK training camp for many years before it was liberated as part of Operation Olive Branch.On March 18, Turkish troops and Free Syrian Army members liberated the town of Afrin, on the 58th day of the operation.US, Turkey focus on second phase of Manbij Roadmap
Free Syrian Army celebrates Erdoğan’s election victory
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his Turkish counterpart Nurettin Canikli met as part of the ongoing dialogue regarding implementation of the Manbij Roadmap, the Pentagon said Monday.Pentagon spokesperson Adrian Rankine Galloway said the meeting was held last week and it also covered establishing security and stability near the city.Rankine Galloway told Anadolu Agency the talks were focused on the second phase of the Roadmap which involves joint patrol in Manbij.The roadmap was announced after a June 4 meeting in Washington between Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.Video: Turkish army completes third round of patrols in Syria's ManbijThe deal focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city of Manbij and on stability in the region.The Turkish General Staff said in a statement Sunday that both countries' forces conducted patrols separately in the area between the Operation Euphrates Shield region and Manbij according to the roadmap.The first patrols by Turkish and U.S. troops in the region began June 18.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives, including those of women and children. The YPG/PKK is its Syrian branch.Turkey has said the presence of terror forces near its border constitute a threat and has launched military operations and other efforts to rid the region of terrorists.
US, Turkey focus on second phase of Manbij Roadmap