Civilian injured by YPG/PKK shelling in Azaz, Syria

By Omer Koparan and Adham Kako

AZAZ, Syria (AA) - The YPG/PKK terror group carried out an attack on Sunday in northwestern Syria, despite a Turkey-Russia deal for their withdrawal from the region.

Terrorists in the Tal Rifat region fired five artillery shells into areas controlled by the Syrian National Army (SNA) near Azaz, injuring a civilian.

The attack came after Ankara and Moscow reached a deal on Oct. 22 under which the YPG/PKK tourist organization would pull 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) south from Turkey’s border in northern Syria within 150 hours.

The YPG/PKK withdrawal began in line with the deal on Oct. 23.

On Oct. 9, Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

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