Syria: Shelling in Afrin kills 27 on March 16 as thousands flee /update 9

Event

Turkish forces and allied Syrian opposition fighters continued their assault on the Kurdish-controlled city of Afrin on Friday, March 16, with Turkish shelling attacks killing at least 27 people. Friday's fighting comes amid an exodus of some 30,000 people from the city of Afrin and adjacent areas in recent days to the hinterlands of the region and the towns of Nubl and Al-Zahraa. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), Turkish forces have recently severed telecommunications networks and the supply of water and electricity to the city; supplies of flour and fuel are also running low in the area. Continued fighting is expected between the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and Turkish forces and allied Syrian opposition fighters in Afrin and surrounding locales in the coming days and weeks as Turkey's Operation Olive Branch continues and despite the recently enacted UN ceasefire that technically remains in effect across the country.

Context

On March 12, Turkish forces reportedly encircled the Kurdish-controlled town of Afrin and adjacent areas (including roughly 700,000 people), as part of their ongoing advance in the Afrin region of Syria. The Turkish cross-border campaign, termed "Operation Olive Branch," officially began on January 20. The operation aims to destroy fighters and positions of the YPG - considered by Ankara as a terrorist organization and ally of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - in Kurdish-controlled northern Syria. Turkish forces seek to establish a 30-km (20-mi) "safe zone" in the area.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned the Syrian army against supporting Kurdish militias in Afrin. A deal was reportedly reached between Turkey and Assad's major international allies in the conflict, Russia and Iran, on February 19 to prevent the intervention of the Syrian army in the region. However, on February 20, pro-Syrian regime forces entered the Kurdish-controlled region to assist YPG fighters in halting the advance of Turkish troops.

The UN Security Council (UNSC) called for a 30-day nationwide ceasefire on February 24, which entered into effect that same day. According to the UNSC, the agreed-upon ceasefire would be in effect across Syria, except in areas where armed forces are fighting the Islamic State (IS), Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (Al-Nusra Front), and Al-Qa'ida-affiliated militants, among other designated terror groups. Fighting has continued across Syria in recent days despite the ceasefire.

Advice

Due to extremely poor security conditions, Western governments generally advise against all travel to Syria, with some banning travel to the country. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to any travel to Syria.