08 Jul 2020 | 04:05 AM UTC
Syria: Car bomb kills six in Tel Abayad (Raqqa province) July 7
Car bomb attack in Tel Abayad (Raqqa province) kills six and injures 11 on July 7; further attacks possible over the near term
Event
On Tuesday, July 7, a car bomb detonated in the border town of Tel Abayad (Raqqa province) killing six people and wounding at least 11 others, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry. The wounded were treated in hospitals on both the Syrian and Turkish side of the border. The attack has been blamed on the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia.
A heightened security presence is expected in the area over the near term and further attacks are possible.
Context
To date, the Syrian conflict involves many parties, including the Syrian government, the Russian government, the Iranian government, the Turkish government, a US-led coalition, and numerous armed groups on the ground (including the Islamic State) with competing goals.
The YPG is considered a terrorist group by Turkey because of its links with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Turkish-backed forces pushed the YPG out of Tel Abayad in October 2019 and it has been blamed by Turkey for several militant attacks in the area since.
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.
