20 killed, dozens injured in terror attack in NW Syria

By Omer Koparan

AFRIN, Syria (AA) - At least 20 civilians were killed and dozens injured on Tuesday in a terrorist attack using a fuel tanker armed with bombs in northwestern Syria, according to local security sources.

YPG/PKK terrorists are suspected of being behind the attack in the Afrin province, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Many buildings were damaged on Raju Street where the fuel tanker exploded, and medical personnel took the wounded to hospitals in the center of Afrin, they added.

In January 2019, Turkey launched a major military operation -- Operation Olive Branch -- to rid Afrin of YPG/PKK terrorist elements, and liberated Afrin that March.

Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terrorist operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable peaceful settlement of locals: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018) and Peace Spring (2019).

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.