At least 16 people, mostly members of the Kurdish security forces, have been killed in Syria Wednesday in a suicide bombing claimed by the jihadist group Islamic State (EI) in the city of Qamishli (northeast).
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH) indicated that “a suicide bomber aboard a vehicle has targeted the local headquarters of Asayich (Kurdish security forces) in Qamishli”, adding that the attack killed 10 members of Asayich.
The attack was claimed by the IU on the Internet, the extremist group indicating that the bomber had used a water tanker to enter the headquarters of “Asayich”.
“It was a powerful explosion. At least 14 civilians were also wounded, “said the director of OSDH, Rami Abdel Rahman.
Kurdish forces have cordoned off the area in the industrial district of Qamishli, a city mainly Kurdish province of Hasaka, he added.
The Syrian official SANA news agency also reported the attack, giving a balance of 13 dead and 50 wounded.
According to local journalist Arin Chekhmos, the explosion was heard throughout the city. “I was not next door but I could hear it from where I was,” said Mr. Chekhmos AFP by phone, shortly after visiting the scene of the attack.
“There is a lot of destruction – buildings in at least two streets were completely destroyed,” he said.
Qamishli, joint control of local Kurdish authorities and the Syrian regime, has been the target of several attacks this year. In late July, the bombings have targeted fighters YPG (Protection Units of the Kurdish people) and Asayich, killing at least three injuries.
Kurdish militias that have driven the EI successively including the towns of Ayn al-Arab and Tall Abyad, bordering Turkey, emerged as one of the most able to combat these jihadists who have seized large swathes of Iraqi territory strengths and Syria.
Stéphane © armenews.com