Kurdish group reports 4 U.S.-backed fighters killed, 11 civilians wounded in Turkish drone strikes in Syria.

Turkey Strikes U.S.-Backed Fighters in Syria

In a tense escalation of tensions in northeastern Syria, Turkish drone strikes killed four U.S.-backed fighters and injured 11 civilians, according to the Kurdish-led force. The strikes targeted areas held by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, following Turkish President Erdogan’s warning against Kurdish-led groups in the region.

The SDF reported that the drone strikes hit its positions, civilian homes, and vehicles in and around Qamishli. The Kurdish Red Crescent also disclosed that one of its ambulances was damaged in a Turkish strike near Amouda.

Tensions have been heightened by the Kurdish-led autonomous administration’s plan to hold municipal elections, with the State Department expressing skepticism about the timing of the polls. Turkey views the elections as a threat to its territorial integrity, given its concerns about the Kurdish militia’s ties to an outlawed Kurdish group.

The conflict underscores the complicated dynamics in the region, with the U.S. providing support to the SDF while Turkey perceives the Kurdish groups as a security threat. The situation remains fluid as all parties navigate their strategic interests in the region.