Turkey-backed rebels detain Kurds near Syrian town

[Anthea]

Turkey-backed rebels detain Kurdish fighters near Syrian town

Kurdish forces of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) hold the Turkish government responsible for the treatment of four fighters that were captured by its proxy forces in northern Syria, the YPG said in a statement on Monday.

“Turkish warplanes on August 28 bombed the village of Al-Kusa south of Jarabulus city. As a result, tens of civilians were massacred and an unknown number of local residents were injured,” the YPG said. “After the attack, the [SDF-linked] Military Council of Jarabulus whose forces were positioned in the area called for urgent support in order to help evacuating civilians and treating the injured.”

“Accordingly, a unit of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) – formed of four fighters – tried to reach the noted area as they were ready near Qereqozax bridge. Yet, Turkish army and affiliated militants ambushed the vehicle of that unit and captured four combatants inside,” the YPG said.

After the fighters were captured, they were paraded on pictures without clothes and exposed to torture in public.

“From this point, we say to the public opinion, we consider the Turkish government and its army fully responsible for the life and health of our fighters,” the YPG added.

Turkey-backed rebels and the Turkish army captured the town of Jarabulus on 24 August without a fight. Immediately afterwards, clashes started to erupt between US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the pro-Turkey factions.

On Monday, the SDF-backed Jarabulus Military Council said it would withdraw its fighters to the south of Sajur river, in order to protect civilians.

“After Turkey carried out a massacre in south of Jarabulus and threatened us to target civilian villages again, we decided to withdraw,” the council said.

The YPG leadership reported on Monday renewed Turkish artillery shelling and airstrikes that led to the death and injury of scores of civilians in northern Syria.

“Intensified random shelling by Turkish army forces killed 5 civilians, including 3 children, in Dandania village southern Jarabulus, northern Syria,” the YPG said.

http://aranews.net/2016/08/turkey-backe ... rian-town/