10 Oct 2019 | 02:37 PM UTC
Turkey: Mortar shells fired from Syria strike border towns October 10
At least 12 people wounded after mortar shells fired from Syria strike border towns October 10; additional rocket attacks possible over the coming weeks
Event
At least 12 people were wounded by rockets and mortar shells across four towns in southeastern Turkey on Thursday, October 10. The shells were reportedly fired from Kurdish-controlled areas in Syria and struck the towns of Akçakale, Birecik, Ceylanpinar, and Nusaybin. The attacks come one day after Turkey launched a military operation in northeastern Syria against Kurdish militia.
Similar rocket attacks targeting towns in southeastern Turkey are possible over the coming weeks.
Context
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on October 5, that Turkey will launch a military operation in northeastern Syria in an attempt to expel Syrian Kurdish (People's Protection Units; YPG) forces from the Turkish border. Erdoğan stated that the air and ground operations will extend 30 km (19 mi) into Syria's northeastern border. Turkey considers the YPG to be a terrorist organization linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) group in Turkey.
Advice
Individuals in southeastern Turkey are advised to monitor developments to the situation and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments. Seek immediate shelter in the event of a rocket attack.
