YPG killed three civilians despite ceasefire deal: Turkish Defense Ministry

The Turkish Defense Ministry said on Nov. 19 that the YPG attacked a school in the northern Syrian town of Tal Abyad, killing three civilians and injuring another eight. Tel Abyad is one of two major border towns that saw the heaviest fighting when Ankara launched its operation into northeastern Syria on Oct. 9.

Duvar English

Turkish Defense Ministry said on Nov. 19 the People’s Protection Units (YPG) had killed three people and wounded eight in a missile attack on a school in the Tel Abyad region of northern Syria which they were meant to have withdrawn from under a ceasefire agreement. 

"The PKK/YPG who continued their harassments and attacks, and conducted bombings in the Operation Peace Spring area, have now targeted a school in Tel Abyad's Curn village," the ministry said in a statement. 

"Three innocent civilians died and eight civilians, including children, were injured," the statement said. 

Tel Abyad is one of two major border towns that saw the heaviest fighting when Ankara launched its operation into northeastern Syria on Oct. 9. 

Turkey halted its offensive after striking deals with Russia and the United States. While Moscow has said the YPG have withdrawn to at least 30 km from the border, Ankara has been skeptical and held out the possibility of new attacks if members of the YPG remain. 

Ankara views the YPG as a terrorist organization due to it being the Syrian affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) – a group designated as a terrorist organization by Ankara, Washington and the European Union.  

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Nov. 18 Turkey would launch a new operation if the area was not cleared of YPG militia. Russia said any such move would damage efforts to stabilize the region.