Kurds, foreing-backed terrorists clash in northern Syria near Turkey border

Clashes have broken out between Kurdish militants linked to the Democratic Union Party and al-Qaeda-linked groups in northern Syria near the border with Turkey.

Kurdish fighters, who are opposed to foreign interference in Syria, have been battling foreign-backed militants in the northern province of Raqa on Syria’s border with Turkey.

Scores of al-Qaeda-linked militants have died over the past days in clashes with the Kurds.

On July 21, the Kurdish militants took control of a key checkpoint controlled by al-Qaeda-linked militants and seized light weapons, ammunition, a vehicle mounted with a heavy machine gun, and a mortar launcher.

On July 17, the Kurdish fighters also took control of the town of Ras al-Ain in the border province of Hasakah.

Tensions have been running high between Syria and Turkey, with Damascus accusing Ankara — along with Saudi Arabia and Qatar — of backing a deadly insurgency that has claimed the lives of many Syrians, including security and army personnel.

On Monday, one person was killed in clashes between Turkish troops and an armed group trying to cross into Syria illegally.

On the same day, the Turkish army said in a statement that it would take all necessary measures to beef up security along the common border with Syria.

Syria has been gripped with deadly unrest since 2011. According to the United Nations, more than 90,000 people have been killed and millions of others displaced in the violence.