1 injured in double suicide bombings in northern Syria

By Omer Koparan

AZEZ, Syria (AA) - A civilian was injured in two separate suicide bombings in northern Syria on Thursday.

The suicide bombers detonated themselves in the Al-Bab and Afrin regions, cleared of terrorists by Turkish forces in 2016 and 2018, respectively.

The two terrorists that carried out the bombings were both killed in the botched attacks, which caused material damage besides the single injury, according to preliminary reports.

Local security forces have launched an investigation into the attacks.

Afrin has been largely cleared of YPG/PKK terrorists since Turkiye launched its anti-terror Operation Olive Branch in 2018, but the terror group still carries out sporadic attacks in the region.

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

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkiye, the PKK -- listed as a terror organization by Turkiye, the US, and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.​​​​​​​

* Writing by Gozde Bayar