The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched a drone attack on a Turkish military base located in the village of Aziziya, near Tel Tamr in Syrian Kurdistan, on Saturday, according to local media sources. The assault resulted in four Turkish soldiers being wounded and the destruction of several pieces of military equipment.

The SDF stated that the strike was a retaliatory measure in response to an earlier mortar attack carried out by Turkish forces on the city of Qamishli in Syrian Kurdistan earlier the same day. There were no casualties reported from the Turkish mortar attack, but information regarding potential injuries remains unclear.

Escalating Conflict

The recent drone strike by the SDF adds to a series of hostilities between the Kurdish-led administration in northern Syria and Turkish forces. On Thursday, the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that at least 27 individuals were killed in recent Turkish airstrikes on regions in Syrian Kurdistan. The Kurdish-controlled autonomous administration had previously confirmed that 14 of the 17 fatalities were civilians, with the remaining three being security personnel.

Increased Tensions Following Ankara Attack

The conflict has intensified since a deadly October 23 attack on the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) facility in Ankara, which resulted in five casualties. In response, Turkey launched a series of comprehensive air and artillery strikes across northern Syria, causing both civilian and military casualties, as well as significant damage to infrastructure.

Widespread Impact of Turkish Strikes

According to the internal security division of the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration in Syrian Kurdistan, Turkish forces have conducted 685 strikes across the region, targeting a 500-kilometer stretch along the Turkey-Syria border. Reports suggest that the strikes have impacted numerous civilian and military facilities, including gas and energy infrastructure, oil stations, medical centers, bakeries, and grain storage sites.

Drone Strikes Take a Toll

The SOHR has documented at least 103 Turkish drone strikes on Kurdish-controlled territories since the beginning of the year. These strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 34 individuals and injuries to over 37 militia members and 18 civilians, including three women and three children.

The escalating cycle of attacks between the SDF and Turkish military forces underscores the ongoing instability in the region and raises concerns about the impact on both civilian populations and critical infrastructure.