ISTANBUL

The Syrian Army said Wednesday that a number of civilians and soldiers were killed in explosions of landmines and explosive devices planted by the YPG/SDF terrorist group in Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and eastern Aleppo.

In a statement carried by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the army’s Operation Command called on civilians in Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and eastern Aleppo “not to enter the sites or tunnels of the SDF organization” in northeastern Syria.

“The SDF organization and PKK terrorists booby-trapped doors, corridors, and tunnels, and planted explosive devices disguised as rocks and construction bricks,” it said.

According to the statement, the SDF also rigged with explosives “household furniture and vehicles in most of their former sites, in addition to the houses where they had been stationed and areas near public roads.”

The army said the booby-trapping by the SDF “extended to mosques, as well as copies of the (Muslim holy book) Quran, many of which were found rigged with explosives and placed in inappropriate locations.”

It urged civilians to report any suspicious objects or furniture found out of place to the authorities.

Separately, Syria’s Alikhbaria TV said an ammunition depot exploded in the town of al-Ya’rubiyah in the Hasakah countryside, adding that the site “was previously rigged by the SDF before their withdrawal from the area.”

No information was yet available about damage or injuries.

On Tuesday, the Syrian presidency said that a “mutual understanding” has been reached with the SDF group regarding the future of the Hasakah province.

The Defense Ministry also announced a four-day ceasefire with the SDF, which took effect at 8 pm local time (1700GMT) on Tuesday.