ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Suspected Turkish drone targeted a van in Hasaka province, northeast Syria (Rojava) on Friday, killing one and injuring two others, according to Kurdish forces which later confirmed that the vehicle belonged to them.
“Turkish drone targeted a civilian car on Tirbespiye city road, which injured two people and martyred another. The crimes by Turkish drones in northeast Syria [are committed] before the eyes of the global coalition and in Russian presence,” Siyamend Ali, head of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) media office, said in a tweet.
Tirbespiye (al-Qahtaniyah) is located in Hasaka province.
Internal Security Forces (Asayish) confirmed the news and casualties, saying the incident took place in Hasuda village near Tirbespiye.
Farhad Shami, Head of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) media center, said the vehicle belonged to "Self-Defense Forces" which are affiliated to the SDF.
"As a result of this attack, our comrade Dirar Juma Hamza was martyred and two of our comrades were wounded, including the well-known poet Ferhad Merdê," he added.
Relatives had confirmed Merde's injury to Rudaw earlier in the day.
The Turkish defence ministry said in a tweet that their forces “neutralised” two YPG fighters in Rojava, claiming that they were making preparations to attack Turkish forces “with support vehicles.” However, the ministry did not elaborate where exactly the incident took place. Turkish officials use the term “neutralise” to imply surrenders, killings or capturing.
It is not clear if the ministry refers to the same drone attack reported by the YPG or not.
Rojava Information Center (RIC), local monitor group, said on Friday that Turkish drones have hit six vehicles in Rojava in 2022. “At least 3 people, including 2 children, were killed. Overall, 22 drone strikes were conducted on NES.”
Turkey regularly bombards Kurdish forces in Rojava for their alleged link with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) - Kurdish armed group which has fought the Turkish army for decades.
Updated at 6:32 pm
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