© AFP 2016/ MOHAMMED AL-KHATIEB MIDDLE EAS
The Turkish artillery has been massively shelling Syrian troops and patriotic opposition in border areas since last week, with over 100 volleys registered in the Aleppo province, the Russian Defense Ministry’s spokesperson told journalists on Tuesday.
“Since last week, Turkey’s heavy artillery has been shelling Syrian troops and patriotic opposition in border areas. According to reconnaissance, the Turkish artillery has fired more than 100 volleys at border residential areas in the Aleppo province,” Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said.
On Saturday, Turkish forces began shelling the positions of Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in Syria’s Aleppo region.
Turkish forces bombed a village and an airbase that were recently captured by Kurds, Al Mayadeen TV reported Saturday. Prior to being captured by the YPG, the village and the airbase belonged to al-Nusra Front terrorist organization.
On Saturday, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu claimed Turkish forces shelled Kurds’ positions in northern Syria as a retaliatory measure within rules of engagement. Syria’s Foreign Ministry branded the shelling as direct support of the terrorists on Sunday.
Kurdish fighters, alongside the Syrian Armed Forces, have been fighting against terrorists in the north of the country.