Turkey: Rocket strikes hit towns along Turkey's southern border, Nov. 21

Event

Rocket strikes hit towns in Gaziantep and Kilis provinces along Turkey's southern border, Nov. 21. Three fatalities and a number of wounded are reported in Karkamis, Gaziantep province. There are further reports of shelling in Ongupinar, in Kilis Province although casualty numbers are not yet confirmed. Turkish authorities accuse the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) of conducting the strikes.

Turkish authorities are likely to deploy further police and troops to the border regions. Heightened security and increased tensions are highly likely; security forces will likely impose increased identity and vehicle checks. Border clashes may escalate in mutual reprisals, with Turkish forces striking YPG targets in Syria and vice-versa. Further rocket and artillery strikes are likely.

Context

On Nov. 13, a bomb exploded in Istanbul, killing six people. Turkish authorities accused the YPG or carrying out the attack. On Nov. 20, Turkish forces conducted a series of airstrikes against YPG targets in Syria. Independent monitoring groups report that over 30 were killed.

Turkey has been conducting regular military operations against Kurdish militants in northern Syria and Northern Iraq since 2019. While the Nov. 20 Turkish strikes were stated to have been launched in direct response to the Istanbul bombing one week earlier, reports suggest the operation was planned from at least June, indicating they were a direct continuation of Turkish military activity in this region.

Advice

Avoid the impacted areas. Follow local travel and security advice. Ensure correct documentation and follow all instructions from local security officials.