YPG responds to Syrian airstrike on Kurdish district by bombing pro-Assad security checkpoint in Aleppo

YPG responds to Syrian airstrike on Kurdish district by bombing pro-Assad security checkpoint in Aleppo

KOBANE – Kurdish forces of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) bombed on Friday a security checkpoint for forces loyal to president Basahr al-Assad in Syria’s Aleppo, killing and wounding a number of security troops.

At least four pro-Assad security members were killed and seven others injured under mortar shells fired by the YPG fighters in Aleppo.

The YPG leadership said in a statement that the operation comes in response to Syrian airstrikes that hit the Kurdish-populated district of Sheikh Maqsoud in Aleppo.

On Wednesday, the Syrian regime’s air force hit Sheikh Maqsoud district with several barrel bombs, killing and wounding a number of civilians. At least five people were killed, including two children, and nine others were injured in the regime’s bombardment in the Kurdish district.

“Any group attacks peaceful civilians should face justice. All pro-Assad troops will be a target if they continue striking Kurdish areas with barrel bombs or other weapons,” the YPG leadership said in a statement on Friday evening. 

Sheikh Maqsoud has been under the control of the Kurdish YPG forces since Aleppo turned into a war zone nearly four years ago. 

The YPG has repeatedly clashed with Islamist fighters of the al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front in the vicinity of Sheikh Maqsoud, as the Kurdish forces have been trying to defend the district against al-Qaeda offensives. This was the first time that the Syrian air force hit the Sheikh Maqsoud district with barrel bombs. 

Reporting by: Hozan Mamo

Source: ARA News