On Wednesday, a car explosion in Qamishli, Northeast Syria, claimed the lives of a woman and her son. This incident has intensified local tensions, particularly following recent Turkish drone strikes and Russian military patrols in the area. The Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish) are investigating the explosion, which has sparked public outrage and resistance against the ongoing military presence of both Turkish and Russian forces in the region.
Explosion Claims Lives in Qamishli
The Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish) reported a deadly explosion in Qamishli’s al-Anteriya neighborhood on Wednesday. A Hyundai van exploded in front of the post office, resulting in the tragic deaths of a woman and her son. Preliminary investigations revealed that the blast was caused by a bomb planted inside the vehicle. The Asayish has launched a thorough investigation to uncover more details about the incident and has urged residents to report any suspicious activities to ensure the area’s safety and stability.
Turkish Drone Strikes and Local Outrage
Based on NPS, On the same day, a Turkish drone strike targeted a car near the Heart and Eye Hospital in Qamishli’s Antariye neighborhood, killing the same woman and her son. This attack, following a series of similar strikes, has exacerbated local outrage over the repeated targeting of civilians. The Turkish military’s involvement has further complicated the situation, with escalating tensions between various factions in the region.
Russian-Turkish Patrols Face Resistance
Following the explosion, Russian military patrols attempted to inspect the site, but were expelled by local residents. Eyewitnesses reported that the patrol members were met with resistance, and one resident confronted the patrol for their passive role during the attacks. Additionally, on August 22, a drone strike, likely Turkish, targeted the Asayish building in Qamishli, and earlier strikes on August 19 resulted in civilian casualties at the Heart and Eye Hospital.
On Thursday, protests erupted in Qamishli’s eastern countryside against a joint Russian-Turkish military patrol. Protesters blocked the patrol’s route and threw stones at the vehicles, leading to a response involving tear gas and gunfire. Reports indicate that during the protest, a girl was injured when the patrol’s vehicle ran over her. This unrest underscores the growing discontent among residents with the joint patrols and the broader military presence in the region.
