Hundreds demonstrated across the region, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, following unrest targeting Syrian businesses and properties in central Turkey over allegations of a Syrian man harassing a child.
“Armed clashes erupted between demonstrators and Turkish forces in Afrin city,” in northern Syria under Turkish control, the monitor reported, noting casualties. Initially reporting one death, the Observatory later confirmed four fatalities, with three in Afrin and one in Jarablos, along with 20 injuries.
In Azaz, a northern city, dozens protested, some displaying Syrian opposition flags, while in Al-Bab, armed individuals fired at Turkish trucks, an AFP correspondent reported.
The protests, accompanied by violence, spread across large areas of the Turkey-controlled border strip, said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman, noting demonstrations also reaching parts of rebel-held Idlib.
Since 2016, Turkey has conducted military operations to remove Kurdish forces from northern Syrian border areas, now held by pro-Turkish forces controlling extensive territory along the border.
Protesters reportedly removed Turkish flags, prompting border guards to fire at those attempting to storm the Jarablus border crossing, according to the Observatory.
One protester, Adel al-Faraj, expressed solidarity with Syrians in Turkey, criticizing Ankara for what he described as mistreatment of Syrian refugees fleeing Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
President Erdogan condemned the violence against Syrian refugees in Turkey and emphasized the importance of preventing hate speech from being exploited for political gain.
