Abyad

An aid worker whose organization provides temporary shelter to deportees in Tel Abyad said that economic conditions in the region were poor.

Between January and June 2023, the Tel Abyad border crossing administration published monthly or daily numbers of Syrian returnees on its Facebook page, labeling all as voluntary.

At the moment, Turkey keeps the Tal Abyad crossing open and Turkish Red Crescent () teams reach the region with the aid materials to support those in need, the official added.

A 120-kilometre (75-mile) “safe zone” area between the Syrian towns of Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ain was established as part of an October 17 deal between Ankara and Washington, involving a ceasefire and the YPG’s full withdrawal from the stretch.

A 120-kilometre (75-mile) “safe zone” area between the Syrian towns of Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ain was part of an October 17 agreement between Ankara and Washington, involving the YPG’s full withdrawal from the stretch.

AP journalists on the Turkish side of the border overlooking Tal Abyad saw Turkish forces crossing into Syria in military vehicles Wednesday, though there was no official statement from either side that the offensive had begun.

At least three civilians were killed Thursday, and many others injured, when the Turkish military targeted a civilian convoy in the city of Tal Abyad in northern Syria, according to an SDF tweet.

From the Turkish town of Akcakale several explosions were seen across the border in the Syrian town of Tel Abyad, where a witness reported people fleeing en masse.

Given that negotiations had “flatlined,” he said Turkey was likely to act unilaterally and pointed to several potential military targets including areas around the northern Syrian town of Manbij and the border towns of Tel Abyad or Kobane.

It extends roughly 120 km wide and 30 km deep between the Syrian border towns of Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ayn.

Just across the border lies the Syrian town of Tal Abyad, which fell to Turkish-backed forces on Sunday, although sporadic fighting has continued and Turkish forces were still firing artillery from Akcakale Tuesday.

On the same day, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, said nine civilians were executed by SNA fighters at a roadblock south of Tal Abyad.

Syria’s opposition flag flies on a pole in Tal Abyad, Syria, as seen from the town of Akcakale, Sanliurfa province, southeastern Turkey on October 21, 2019.

The border crossing between Turkey and Tal Abyad opened for the first time in five years on Nov. 26, according to McClure, clearing the way for large numbers of Syrians to cross back into Syria.

The heaviest fighting was reported around the town of Tal Abyad, where the main ground attack, involving battle tanks and heavy howitzers, was under way.

The pair are no believed to be on the outskirts of Tel Abyad, a town on the Syrian border which was recently taken by Turkish forces and militias backed by Ankara.

The YPG/PKK terrorists continue attacks in Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ayn districts despite pulling out of the area under a deal reached by Turkey and the U.S. on Oct. 17.

Turkey’s Anadolu news agency reported shelling of Kurdish militant positions in the border town of Tal Abyad.

Turkey’s state-owned Anadolu Agency said 13 were killed after a “bomb-laden vehicle” exploded in a marketplace in the centre of Tel Abyad.

Turkish and U.S. military vehicles, take part in joint patrol in the Syrian village of al-Hashisha on the outskirts of Tal Abyad town along the border with Turkey, on Oct. 4, 2019.