Turkey: Rocket fired from Syria wounds five in Ceylanpinar July 22

Event

Turkish Defense Ministry announced on Monday, July 22, that a rocket fired from Syria landed on a home in Ceylanpinar (Sanliurfa province), wounding five people. Turkish forces responded to the attack and hit several targets on the Syrian side. The incident is being investigated by Turkish authorities, while a heightened security presence has been reported in Ceylanpinar.

Such further attacks targeting Turkish areas are possible in northern Syria over the near term.

Context

Tensions between the Turkish state and regional Kurdish populations have intensified since the launch of Operation Olive Branch on January 20, 2018, which targeted the predominantly Kurdish YPG - considered by Ankara as a terrorist organization and ally of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - in Kurdish-controlled northern Syria. The YPG has launched several deadly retaliatory, cross-border rocket attacks on Turkish towns since the operation began.

Advice

Individuals in Turkey are advised to monitor developments to the situation, remain vigilant for militant activity, avoid all gatherings as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.