Turkish-Backed Militants Take Control Of Ras Al-Ayn Following Kurdish Fighters Withdrawal
On October 20 afternoon, the Turkish military and the so-called National Syrian Army (NSA) took over the border town of Ras al-Ayn in the northern al-Hasakah countryside, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
“Turkish regime forces and their mercenaries have occupied the town of Ras al-Ayn in al-Hasakah’s countryside,” the state-run agency’s reporter in the northeastern governorate said.
Earlier, sources affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported all Kurdish fighters had withdrawn from Ras al-Ayn. Dozens of injured people and corpses were also evacuated by first responders who entered the town yesterday.
Ras al-Ayn witnessed heavy clashes between Turkish-backed militants and SDF fighters for more than a week. Dozens of militants were reportedly killed as a result.
The clashes continued even after the implementation of the U.S. sponsored ceasefire, with NSA militants attempting to advance in the town’s outskirt.
By capturing Ras al-Ayn, Turkish forces have achieved one of the main goals of Operation Peace Spring, launched on 9 October. The withdrawal of the Kurdish fighters from the town was one of the terms of the U.S. sponsored ceasefire.
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