SULAIMANI (ESTA) — U.S.-led collation forces CJTF-OIR in a statement on Saturday condemned the drone attack that struck an UN-based educational center for girls in Hasakah governorate outskirts of northeastern Syria, while authorities blamed Turkey.
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) confirmed on Friday that a Turkish drone attack targeted an educational center for girls under the United Nations supervision in the village of Shmouka near a base of the U.S.-led Coalition to Defeat ISIS, on Tel Tamr-Hasakah road.
“The attack claimed the lives of four teenage girls in the countryside of Hasakah,” AANES said in a statement.
“On the evening of Aug. 18, an armed unmanned aerial system struck a group of teenaged girls playing volleyball who were active in a United Nations educational outreach program in Hasakah. Initial reports indicate that the strike killed four and wounded several others.” CJTF-OIR Commander Maj. Gen. John Brennan said concerning the attack in a statement, mentioning no party.
“On behalf of CJTF-OIR, I condemn this attack and any others that kill and injure civilians,” Brennan added.
He pointed out that such attacks are contrary to the laws of armed conflict, which require the protection of civilians.
The commander also warned of increasing military activities saying “Military hostilities in northern Syria is creating chaos in a fragile region where the threat of ISIS remains present,” adding, “We call for immediate de-escalation from all parties and an end to activities that put at risk the significant battlefield gains the Coalition has made against ISIS.”
Turkey’s military activities in Kurdish-held territories have ramped up, the country has mounted four operations in northern Syria since 2016, and has vowed a new offensive against the Kurdish groups.
Any Turkish operation in Syria would attack the Kurdish group and People’s Protection Units (YPG) in particular, a key part of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that controls large parts of northern Syria and is regarded by Washington as an important ally against the Islamic State.
While Turkey views the Kurdish-led forces in Syria as terrorists and a national security threat.
