DAMASCUS, SYRIA (1:30 P.M.) – On Sunday evening, fierce firefights erupted in rural Aleppo as Turkish-backed rebels began an assault on the town of Sheikh Issa, engaging with Kurdish elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
With clashes persisting until 4 in the morning, the SDF managed to hold their ground and kill all hostile fighters of Ahrar Al-Sham and Turkmen units of the Free Syrian Army (FSA).
The Turkish Armed Forces were not directly involved in the attack but reportedly shelled SDF positions at Sheikh Issa from rearguard positions.
A Kurdish military source said “dozens” of Turkish-backed militants were left dead on the battlefield although the exact number could not be specified as the fallen rebel fighters were in a no man’s zone between Marea and Sheikh Issa.
Sporadic clashes continued on Monday between the warring parties in northern Aleppo.
