PKK/PYD carries howitzer attack in northern Syria

By Omer Koparan and Adham Kako

AZAZ, Syria/ ANKARA (AA) - The PKK/PYD terrorist organization in Syria late Monday carried out a howitzer attack in a civilian area in northern Syria's town of Azaz from the Afrin district bordering Turkey.

The attack occurred in an area controlled by the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army forces, according to the Anadolu Agency correspondents in the region.

No casualties were reported following the attack.

Turkish Armed Forces stationed in the Euphrates Shield Operation area in Syria immediately retaliated with artillery fire targeting the terrorist strongholds in Afrin.

The PKK/PYD terrorists have been attacking Azaz from time to time since the city was liberated by the Turkey-backed Euphrates Shield forces last year.

Turkey's successful seven-month Operation Euphrates Shield ended in March 2017 clearing 2,000 square kilometers (772 square miles) area off Daesh in northern Syria.

The PKK/PYD is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU. The PKK has waged a terror campaign against Turkey for more than 30 years, leading to the deaths of more than 40,000 security forces and civilians.