Afrin: Tensions rise as Turkish-backed militia caught in infighting

Only one week after the Turkish-backed militants took over the city of Afrin in northern Syria, the FSA-affiliated militia began to fight each other, leaving scores dead and injured.

Today, al-Hamza Brigade abruptly opened fire on the vehicle of the military commander of rival group Ahrar Al-Sharqiyah, Abu Sakr Al-Qadssiyah, killing him instantly.

The slain commander’s militiamen retaliated by launching a wide-scale campaign against positions and checkpoints for al-Hamza Brigade across Afrin region, arresting up to 100 fighters. Heavy firefight erupted between the two rival factions in several towns across Afrin region.

Turkey’s proxies were caught in camera looting the properties of civilians who had escaped the battles.