The Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) on Sunday expressed strong disapproval of Russia and the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat Islamic State (ISIS), guarantors of a 2019 ceasefire agreement, for their silence regarding continuous Turkish attacks on AANES-held areas.

The Administration said in their statement that they expect the continuous Turkish assaults to have an impact on the collaborative efforts of the Global Coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against ISIS. They further asserted that the Turkish shelling reflects a “deep-seated animosity that undermines all endeavors towards stability and the eradication of terrorism, particularly ISIS.”

“Despite the tragic loss of lives and injuries inflicted upon civilians, the international coalition and guarantor forces of the ceasefire have remained silent, which the AANES holds accountable for the perpetuation of Turkish aggression,” the statement read.

The administration further asserted that Turkey’s actions were driven by internal and external political challenges, including economic struggles, which have intensified its aggression against Kurdish-led parts of Syria.

This statement comes in the wake of a significant escalation in Turkish attacks in the region. Over the course of Saturday, Turkish forces launched more than 40 artillery attacks on various parts of the Afrin (Efrîn) and Shahba (Şehba) regions, injuring one civilian as reported by Hawar News Agency (ANHA). The injured civilian’s condition is reported to be critical and unstable.

Furthermore, on Sunday morning, a Turkish drone targeted the town of Tal Rifaat (Til Rifat) in Shahba, causing material damage.

Prior to the weekend offensives, a Turkish drone attack targeted a village in the Qamushli (Qamişlo) countryside in northeast Syria on Friday, leading to the death of four Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters.

Following its incursion into northeastern Syria in October 2019, Turkey entered into two ceasefire agreements, with Russia and the United States being guarantor states. These agreements stipulated the cessation of hostilities and required the Kurdish-led SDF to withdraw 32 kilometres away from the Turkish border.

The SDF argues that although they have adhered to the agreement by withdrawing from the border regions, Turkey persists in targeting the area.