YPG Media Center stated that gang groups affiliated with the Turkish army shelled Efrîn’s Qitmê village on February 21, 2017. YPG forces responded the gang groups that also shelled the villages of Maranez and Vilat Qadî on the same day as Turkish warplanes flew over Efrîn and Shehba.

In its statement, YPG said:

"Turkish forces entered Rojava land through Kobanê’s Silîpqiran village on February 22, 2017, and destroyed the houses of several citizens. Our forces intervened and forced Turkish soldiers to retreat.

A Turkish helicopter flew over and bombarded Çilaxa's Sefa village on February 24, 2017.

Turkish soldiers crossed into Zehre village of Efrîn’s Bilbilê district on February 25, 2017, but were forced to retreat after the intervention of our forces.

On the same day, Turkish soldiers and affiliate gang groups shelled the Maranez and Belûnê villages of Efrîn and our forces gave a stern response to the occupant Turkish army."