UPDATED: 18 people killed in Afrin

MENA

Published: 2021-06-12 21:23

Last Updated: 2024-03-18 23:39


Source: Anadolu Agency
Source: Anadolu Agency

At least 18 people were killed in artillery shelling targeting the Syrian city of Afrin, which is under the control of factions loyal to Ankara.

Among the dead were a doctor, three hospital employees, two women and two children, who were killed in the bombing of Shifa Hospital in the city controlled by Turkish-backed fighters, according to the observatory.

The observatory added that an opposition fighter was also killed in the hospital, while the number of wounded reached 23.

"The bombing targeted several neighborhoods in the city and hit the hospital," Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.

And the observatory stated in a statement that "most of the victims fell in the bombing of the hospital," noting that the death toll is likely to rise due to the large number of wounded.

He explained that the bombing came from areas in the north of Aleppo province, "in which militias loyal to Iran and the regime forces are deployed, and Kurdish forces are near them."

In a statement, the Syrian Democratic Forces denied any involvement in the bombing.

The Kurdish region of Afrin, located in Aleppo Governorate, was captured by Turkish forces and their allies from the opposition factions in March 2018.

Similar to the areas controlled by factions loyal to Ankara, the area regularly witnesses assassinations, attacks and explosions.

And on Thursday, at least 12 people were killed in northwest Syria, including fighters, in the Syrian regime's bombing of Idlib, according to the observatory.

The ongoing conflict in Syria since 2011 has resulted in about half a million deaths, according to the Syrian Observatory, and has led to the displacement and displacement of millions.