In a devastating escalation of violence, a Turkish drone strike targeted a Kurdish-held area in northern Syria on Monday, killing 11 civilians, including six children from the same family, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). The attack came amidst sweeping turmoil, just a day after Islamist-led rebels launched a lightning offensive that ousted President Bashar al-Assad and upended control across large swathes of Syria.
Deadly Drone Strike Near Ain Issa
The strike targeted a house near Ain Issa, north of the city of Raqqa, an area controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The Observatory confirmed that the victims were all civilians, heightening fears of escalating civilian casualties in the region.
This latest tragedy underscores the high-stakes struggle between Turkish forces and Kurdish groups in Syria. Since 2016, Turkey and its allied militias have seized territories in northern Syria, targeting Kurdish fighters they accuse of links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group designated as a terrorist organization by Ankara.
Rebel Surge and the Fall of Assad
Adding to the chaos, Sunday’s dramatic rebel offensive against Assad’s regime saw pro-Turkey factions claiming strategic wins, including significant portions of Manbij, a city west of Ain Issa. The Manbij Military Council, aligned with the SDF, reportedly engaged in fierce battles but ultimately lost control of large districts to the advancing rebel fighters.
Turkey-backed fighters celebrated the Manbij takeover on their Telegram channel, proclaiming victory after “fierce battles.” The Observatory also reported ongoing violence in the northern town of Tal Rifaat, which pro-Turkish forces seized earlier this month.
Turkey’s Strategy in Syria
Turkey’s involvement in northern Syria is rooted in its decades-long conflict with Kurdish groups. Ankara views the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG)—the dominant force in the SDF—as an extension of the PKK, which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state for over 40 years.
On Sunday, Turkey reaffirmed its commitment to preventing Kurdish forces from expanding their influence following Assad’s ouster. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration stated it aims to “guarantee security” in Syria amid the power vacuum left by the regime’s fall.
Humanitarian Concerns Mount
The violence has sparked growing concern for civilians caught in the crossfire. The Kurdish-led SDF, widely recognized for its role in defeating the Islamic State’s caliphate in 2019, now faces intensified threats from both Turkish-backed factions and ongoing regional instability.
The Observatory’s grim report highlights the human toll of the conflict: “Eleven civilians, including six children, have paid the ultimate price,” said Rami Abdul Rahman, head of the SOHR. Advocacy groups fear that further offensives could displace tens of thousands more.
A Country at a Crossroads
As Syria faces its most turbulent moment in years, the interplay of rebel forces, Kurdish fighters, and Turkish-backed militias threatens to plunge the region into deeper chaos. For many Syrians, the cost is already unbearable, with lives and homes shattered in a battle for control that shows no signs of abating.