The occupation attacks of the Turkish army and its jihadist proxy troops on residential areas along the M4 strategic highway in northern Syria continue unabated. The aggressors are focusing in particular on the city of Ain Issa, which is centrally located between the already Turkish-occupied city of Girê Spî (Tal Abyad) and the city of Raqqa, and surrounding residential areas. Civilian settlements are regularly attacked with artillery. The refugee camp in Ain Issa is also affected by the occupation efforts of the invading forces.

However, reactions on the part of the Syrian regime or Russia as the protective power of Syria to the systematic violations of the ceasefire have failed to materialise. This is also said by Aziz Xerbîsan, one of the commanders of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Ain Issa; "Across the region, fighting is constantly taking place and is becoming increasingly intense. However, this state of affairs is met with disinterest by both Moscow and Damascus."

According to Xerbîsan, there has been a considerable increase in activities by the occupying forces, particularly in villages in the surroundings of Girê Spî, in villages near Ain Issa, the centre of the city and near the camp of the same name.

The SDF Commander says: "Turkey wants to take Ain Issa at all costs in order to control the connecting road to Raqqa. Crimes such as theft, looting, kidnapping, murder and rape are flourishing in the already occupied villages in the region. In addition, there are distribution fights within the Turkish-controlled militias and attacks on positions of Syrian and Russian troops. All this is known to the governments of both states. However, there are no reactions. Only the SDF and its components respond to these attacks on the basis of legitimate self-defense.”

Xerbîsan reports that the M4 traffic route cannot be used due to the attacks and Turkish-backed mercenaries are seizing the cars of the civilians who attempt to pass through, and prevent their move.

"The aim is to scare the local population and drive them out of their homes," explains the SDF commander, pointing out that the road has actually been officially under the regime's control again since the end of February.

"So it should be passable for civilians without restrictions, but the reality is different. In Hoşan, a village located directly on the M4, Turkey has set up a military base. There, it coordinates its attacks on Ain Issa and the other surrounding regions. We are the only ones defending our people and the region."