Three killed as rival Turkish-backed clans clash in northern Syria's Ras Al-Ain: monitor

Three killed as rival Turkish-backed clans clash in northern Syria's Ras Al-Ain: monitor
Al-Akidat and its allies killed three enemy fighters in and around the northern Syrian town of Ras Al-Ain on Wednesday.
2 min read
25 May, 2022
Three civilians, including a child, were reportedly wounded in the clashes [AFP via Getty - file photo]

Three fighters were killed in clashes between rival tribes containing Turkish-backed fighters in and around the northern Syrian town of Ras Al-Ain on Wednesday, a war monitor has said.

Al-Akidat and allied tribes launched an attack on several rival groups in Ras Al-Ain and the surrounding area in the early hours of Wednesday morning, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Al-Akidat and its allies killed three enemy fighters, the war monitor said, and captured eight more.

Three civilians, including a child, were wounded in the clashes, the monitor said.

Al-Akidat seized control of several neighbourhoods of Ras Al-Ain and military headquarters and weapons from rival groups, it added.

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The clashes occurred after members of the Al-Mawwali tribe killed a member of Al-Akidat who was a fighter for Ahrar Al-Sharqiya, the monitor said Tuesday.

Tuesday's killing was in retaliation for the killing of an Al-Mawwali member in clashes last month.

Members of Al-Akidat in Ras Al-Ain are allied with Ahrar Al-Sharqiya, while the Al-Mawwali are allied with the Hamza Division.

Ras Al-Ain has been under direct or indirect Turkish control since 2019, after Turkey invaded and seized parts of northern Syria from the control of Kurdish-led forces.

In recent weeks, Ankara has threatened to invade Syria once more.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said earlier this week that Turkey would "soon" launch a new operation in Syria.

The US said Tuesday that it was "deeply concerned" about Turkey's plans for a new operation.