By Omer Koparan and Mehmet Burak Karacaoglu
AFRIN, Syria (AA) - A PKK/YPG terror group rocket attack in northern Syria's Afrin district on Monday killed at least three members of the Syrian National Army (SNA) and injured three others.
The terrorists launched rockets from Tel Rifat district, which they were supposed to evacuate after the Türkiye-Russia agreement on Oct. 22, 2019, towards the Afrin district, which was cleared of YPG/PKK terrorists in 2018 following Türkiye's anti-terror offensive Operation Olive Branch.
The YPG/PKK terror group continues to target SNA forces and civilian settlements in the Afrin and Azaz districts from positions in Tal Rifat despite a Türkiye-Russia deal that calls for the group’s withdrawal from the area.
On Oct. 9, 2019, Türkiye -- with the help of the opposition-based SNA -- launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River to secure Türkiye’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.
Then Oct. 22, Ankara and Moscow reached a deal under which YPG/PKK terrorists pulled back 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) south of Türkiye’s border with northern Syria.
In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.