5 Syrian National Army soldiers killed in YPG/PKK terror attack

AFRIN, Syria

At least five Syrian National Army (SNA) soldiers were killed Wednesday in an attack by the YPG/PKK terror group in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo.

The YPG/PKK terrorists coordinated an attempt to infiltrate SNA positions in Afrin from the Tal Rifat area, which was supposed to be evacuated under a 2019 agreement between Turkey and Russia.

Clashes broke out between YPG/PKK terrorists and the SNA forces, killing five soldiers in the village of Basufan, according to local security sources.

The terror group continues to target the SNA and civilian settlements in Afrin and Azaz provinces from Tal Rifat despite a Turkey-Russia deal that calls for their withdrawal from the region.

On Oct. 9, 2019, Turkey – with the help of the opposition-based SNA – launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

That Oct. 22, Ankara and Moscow reached a deal under which YPG/PKK terrorists pulled back 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) south of Turkey’s border with northern Syria.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.