Twin blasts hit northern Syrian district of Ras al-Ayn

RAS AL-AYN, Syria

Two simultaneous terrorist bomb explosions struck northern Syria on Wednesday.

Twin blasts took place in the northern Ras al-Ayn province, according to an Anadolu Agency reporter in the area.

No casualties were reported, according to initial reports.

An explosive device was detonated by terrorists inside a shop in the city center. Later, another bomb explosion rocked the same region.

The explosions occurred while Turkish soldiers in Ras al-Ayn were distributing humanitarian aid in a school yard near the area.

Anadolu Agency correspondent, who was following aid activity, was also very close to the scene of the attacks.

Local security forces believe that the attacks were carried out by the YPG/PKK terror group.

Ras al-Ayn was liberated from YPG/PKK terrorists on Oct. 12, 2019 as part of Turkey's Operation Peace Spring. It was launched to secure Turkey's borders by eliminating the terror group from northern Syria, east of the Euphrates River, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria's territorial integrity.

The terrorists, however, continue to carry out attacks in Ras al-Ayn, and the nearby city of Tal Abyad, despite their withdrawal from the border area following negotiations between the US and Turkey on Oct. 17, 2019.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is PKK's Syrian offshoot.

Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and to enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz