Syrian government bombs Kurdish-held area for first time: Reports

Syrian government aircraft bombed Kurdish positions in the divided northeastern city of Hasakeh on Thursday for the first time in five years of war, fighters on the ground said.

A spokesperson for the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) told Reuters that government strikes had hit Hasakeh, most of which is currently under YPG control.

An AFP correspondent saw government aircraft target several Kurdish positions in the city, which has seen heavy clashes between Kurdish fighters and pro-government militia since Wednesday.

At least six Kurdish positions were hit, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The Syria Rebels Congregation, an opposition group, said five people had been killed and a number of civilians injured in the bombing of Hasakeh.

The group said that a local tax and customs building had been hit, while YPG spokesperson Ridouw Khalil added that sites controlled by the local security forces – known as the Asayish – had been targeted.

The bombing marks the first time that government planes have hit a Kurdish-held area.