ISIS gangs have set fire to hundreds of vehicles in a second area under Turkish military supervision at the border with Kobanê. The people were taken to a military post under mortar fire.

ISIS gangs suffering heavy blows from YPG forces on the western front have targeted people with their vehicles near the border. Yesterday morning the gangs set vehicles alight in an area under Turkish military supervision between the villages of Korali and Göktepe in Birecik district. They then targeted hundreds of vehicles near Sêlim village in another area.

Soldiers did not intervene

Eye witnesses said that ISIS gangs first fired mortars at the area, 2 of which fell inside Turkey, but that Turkish troops did not intervene. The gangs then went into the area between Göktepe and Korali and then the area near Sêlim, firing into the petrol tanks and setting the vehicles alight.

Gang members behaving in a relaxed way in Turkish territory

Turkish troops watched as hundreds of vehicles burned. Meanwhile, the relaxed behaviour of gang members was noteworthy. Fire engines from the Urfa Municipality only arrived 2 hours later and did not intervene.

‘They are taking it out on the vehicles’

Agit Qarakoy, one of those whose vehicles was set alight, reacted angrily to the failure of the Turkish troops to intervene, saying: “The gangs are getting a hiding at the hands of the YPG so they’re taking it out on our vehicles. Only yesterday the YPG killed lots of them around our village. They come and burn our cars and the Turkish soldiers look on.”

Civilians taken to military post

People from Kobanê who crossed the border after the gangs had opened fire with mortars were taken to the military post in Göktepe village. Around 150 people, including children and the elderly, are continuing to be held there.