Iraq
The aftermath of a suspected Turkish drone strike on a house allegedly belonging to the YBS in Shingal on May 23, 2023. Photo: Rojnews
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - At least three members of the Shingal Resistance Units (YBS) were killed as a result of a Turkish drone strike on the Yazidi heartland in the early morning hours of Tuesday, reported the Erbil-based Kurdish counterterrorism.
The strike targeted a YBS base in Shingal’s Khalaf village at around 5am, resulting in the killing of the three fighters, according to the statement from the counterterrorism unit.
The YBS is an all-Yazidi force linked with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Media affiliated to the PKK claimed that the Turkish drone targeted “a house” without mentioning any links to the YBS, also stating that the number of casualties and the extent of damages remain unknown.
The attack blamed on Turkey is the latest in a series of deadly drone strikes by Ankara on the Kurdistan Region, claiming to target PKK fighters and their alleged proxies. This is the second alleged Turksih attack on YBS bases since the May 14 Turkish presidency and parliamentary elections.
At least three YBS fighters were killed in a Turkish drone strike on May 16, reported the Kurdish counterterrorism. PKK-affiliated media claimed that the attack targeted a civilian house in Shingal without resulting in any casualties.
The PKK is a Kurdish force fighting for the increased political and cultural rights of Kurds in Turkey and has waged an armed insurgency against Ankara for decades. It is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, who frequently targets the group and its alleged offshoots through military operations and drone strikes in the Kurdistan Region and Syria.
YBS has controlled parts of Shingal since ISIS was defeated in the town but the presence of the force and several other forces in the district has been blamed for insecurity which has prevented thousands of its residents who fled due to the war on ISIS from returning.
The strike targeted a YBS base in Shingal’s Khalaf village at around 5am, resulting in the killing of the three fighters, according to the statement from the counterterrorism unit.
The YBS is an all-Yazidi force linked with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Media affiliated to the PKK claimed that the Turkish drone targeted “a house” without mentioning any links to the YBS, also stating that the number of casualties and the extent of damages remain unknown.
The attack blamed on Turkey is the latest in a series of deadly drone strikes by Ankara on the Kurdistan Region, claiming to target PKK fighters and their alleged proxies. This is the second alleged Turksih attack on YBS bases since the May 14 Turkish presidency and parliamentary elections.
At least three YBS fighters were killed in a Turkish drone strike on May 16, reported the Kurdish counterterrorism. PKK-affiliated media claimed that the attack targeted a civilian house in Shingal without resulting in any casualties.
The PKK is a Kurdish force fighting for the increased political and cultural rights of Kurds in Turkey and has waged an armed insurgency against Ankara for decades. It is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, who frequently targets the group and its alleged offshoots through military operations and drone strikes in the Kurdistan Region and Syria.
YBS has controlled parts of Shingal since ISIS was defeated in the town but the presence of the force and several other forces in the district has been blamed for insecurity which has prevented thousands of its residents who fled due to the war on ISIS from returning.
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment