World, Middle East

PYD/PKK rocket targets refugee camp in Syria’s Azaz

No casualties reported after rocket lands in empty area

04.02.2018 - Update : 05.02.2018
PYD/PKK rocket targets refugee camp in Syria’s Azaz FILE PHOTO

By Omer Koparan and Said Ibicioglu

AZAZ, Syria

The PYD/PKK terrorist group on Sunday launched a rocket targeting civilians in a refugee camp in Aleppo’s Azaz district, an area that had been previously liberated during Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield, which lasted from August 2016 to late March 2017.

The rocket landed in an empty area bordering Turkey’s Kilis province, according to an Anadolu Agency correspondent on the ground.

No casualties were reported.

The attack caused panic across nearby camps, where around 200,000 refugees live.

Civilians forced to leaves their homes from Raqqa, Homs, Damascus, Idlib, Deir ez-Zour, Hasakah regions are hosted in the camps.

Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 to clear PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin in northwestern Syria.

Since the start of the operation, PYD/PKK cross-border attacks on civilians have killed at least seven people and injured over 100.

According to the Turkish General Staff, Operation Olive Branch aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty.

The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey’s rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN Charter, and respect for Syria's territorial integrity.

Operation Euphrates Shield was conducted jointly by Turkish Armed Force and the Free Syrian Army (FSA), from August 2016 to late March 2017, to improve security, support coalition forces and eliminate terror threats along the Turkish border.

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