Since earlier this week, the attacks by Turkey and its jihadist allies of the so-called "Syrian National Army" (SNA) on Ain Issa in the autonomous region of northeast Syria have been massively expanded. Several attempts to circumvent the positions of the local military council and infiltrate the town were thwarted by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). These latest provocations, in which mainly civilian settlements and villages along the M4 highway and also the Ain Issa refugee camp were attacked, show particularly clearly the rapid war preparations of the Erdoğan government against northern and eastern Syria. The attacks, which have continued again today, are accompanied by Turkish reconnaissance and fighter jets, which further increases the danger to the civilian population.

Aziz Xerbîsan, one of the SDF commanders in Ain Issa, coordinated the defense operation against the occupation forces in the village of Seyda during Wednesday night. "The attack was well organized. The Turkish army and allied mercenaries tried to enter the town from three sides; via Seyda in the northeast, the M4 and Ain Issa Camp in the northwest. There were about fifty attackers," said Xerbîsan.

The experienced commander assumes that a planned massacre was organised, which was thwarted by Ain Issa Military Council, a component of the SDF. Ten jihadists were killed in the battles, which lasted several hours, and the number of injured is unclear. "This is not theşr first attempt to occupy Ain Issa. The town is regularly attacked, our forces respond to all attacks," stated Xerbîsan.

Russia ignores Turkish attacks

Russia, as Syria's protective power, as well as the regime itself, did not intervene, although the attack took place in front of Russian and Syrian troops, Xerbîsan noted and continued; "The focus of the aggressors is primarily inhabited areas on the edge of the M4 between Ain Issa and the municipality of Çelebiyê in the south of Kobanê. The attacks have caused extensive material damage to the homes and farmland of the civilian population. Even motorists are being shot at. The main focus of the attacks is the expulsion of the traditional inhabitants. Such attacks are defined as war crimes. The USA and Russia, under whose aegis the ceasefire agreement was signed last fall, are merely watching.”

Occupying forces increase the number of bases

It is becoming apparent that the Turkish state and its militias are in preparation for a major war against Ain Issa and the western landscape of Girê Spî, said the SDF commander, adding; “We know about tunnel diggings and arms transports. Furthermore, the occupation forces are working to increase the number of their checkpoints and bases. Several positions have already been excavated off Seyda. The next step is apparently to build a base in the village.”

Military Council and SDF in defensive position

The SDF commander pointed out that: “Neither the Military Council nor the SDF want to allow an occupation operation against Ain Issa. Our line is legitimate self-defense. Any kind of attack will be reciprocated by us on the basis of our right to self-defense. Leaving defensive positions is out of the question."

Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Military Council of Girê Spî reported a retaliatory strike against occupying troops near the village of Xalidiye. The Military Council said: "The infiltration attack was successfully repulsed, while one of the mercenaries' vehicles was destroyed. It is still unclear how many were killed in the clash.”

Strategic M4 highway

The international traffic route M4 runs through northern Syria like a lifeline. It runs about 30 kilometers from the Turkish-Syrian border and leads from Aleppo to Mosul in northern Iraq and is of great importance, especially for the supply of the civilian population. From the M4 there are connecting roads to Damascus and the Arab countries. By taking this highway, which occupies a key position in Turkey's occupation plans, especially because of its relative proximity to the city of Raqqa and thus to the gate to Deir ez-Zor, Turkey would come closer to its neo-Ottoman dreams of extending its external borders to all other cities in the border strip and transporting oil from Kirkuk and Deir ez-Zor to the Mediterranean. In addition, the settlement of members of the jihadist allies of the Erdogan regime would be easy.

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