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Syrian Democratic Council Calls for International Investigation into Afrin Hospital Bombing

Al-Shifaa hospital after the attack, June 13, 2021 (DPA)
Al-Shifaa hospital after the attack, June 13, 2021 (DPA)
    Qamishli - Kamal Sheikho
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Syrian Democratic Council Calls for International Investigation into Afrin Hospital Bombing

Al-Shifaa hospital after the attack, June 13, 2021 (DPA)
Al-Shifaa hospital after the attack, June 13, 2021 (DPA)

The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), the political wing of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), called on the United Nations and the Security Council to form a special and impartial international committee to investigate the bombing of a civilian hospital in Afrin, in northern Syria.

Al-Shifaa hospital in opposition-held Afrin was shelled on June 12 killing at least 16 people, including a doctor, three hospital employees, three women, and a child.

The Democratic Council denounced the “crime of Afrin Hospital,” stressing in a statement issued on its website that it must not pass without accountability.

It demanded the formation of a special and impartial international committee to investigate the crime, reveal the responsible parties and bring the perpetrators to justice, adding that the council works to activate channels of dialogue with the various Syrian parties.

The Syrian Democratic Forces are backed by the US-led international coalition to combat the terrorist organization ISIS.

In its statement, the council denied any responsibility for the attack, blaming Turkey for obstructing the SDF's mission in fighting terrorist organizations and their active cells.

For her part, the President of SDC Executive Committee Ilham Ahmed accused Turkey of planning to occupy more Syrian lands by bombing the Afrin Hospital.

Ahmed stressed to Asharq Al-Awsat that civilians are paying the price as a result of the Turkish policies and agreements with warring parties on Syrian territory.

The Turkish occupation took advantage of the bombing of Afrin Hospital and the situation in Manbij to create sedition and implement its threat to occupy new areas in the northeast of the country, according to Ahmed.

She also warned that Ankara wants to take control of areas in northeast Syria, claiming they are not safe, and civilians are targeted.

Ahmed called for guaranteeing the safety of civilians and the necessity of ensuring the safe return of Afrin residents to their homes.

Displaced people from al-Ghouta are currently residing in the homes of the Kurds, who in turn were displaced from Afrin after Turkey occupied it years ago.

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Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
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Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)

Israeli forces have launched their largest ground incursion into southern Lebanon since the conflict began, reaching the outskirts of the Litani River near Deirmimas.

They entered the town’s edges in an effort to separate Nabatieh from Marjayoun and prepare for an attack on the town of Taybeh from the west and north.

This move also aimed to neutralize Taybeh hill, which overlooks the Khiam plain, where Israel plans to extend its operations and capture the city of Khiam.

Lebanese media reported that Israel set up a checkpoint at the Deirmimas junction, cutting off Marjayoun from Nabatieh.

They also blocked the western entrance to Deirmimas near a fuel station using earth mounds, with Israeli military vehicles stationed there. Reports also said Israeli forces prevented UNIFIL and the Lebanese army from passing toward Marjayoun.

Lebanese sources following the battle in the south reported that Israeli forces advanced five kilometers west from the town of Kfar Kila, moving through olive groves. This advance took advantage of the absence of Hezbollah fighters in Christian areas like Qlayaa, Bir al-Muluk, and Deirmimas.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this allowed Israeli forces to reach the outskirts of the Litani River for the first time since 2006, cutting off Nabatieh from Marjayoun. Israeli artillery had previously targeted this route several times, and drones had carried out strikes there.

Israel supported its ground advance with heavy artillery fire. Lebanese security sources said Israeli artillery targeted hills overlooking Deirmimas throughout Thursday night into Friday, hitting locations like Beaufort Castle, Arnoun, Yihmour, Wadi Zawtar, and Deir Siryan.

This fire typically provides cover for infantry advances. The sources also confirmed that Israeli ground movements were backed by airstrikes and drones for added security.

They speculated the advance followed a route from Kfar Kila through Tall al-Nahas and Bir al-Muluk toward Deirmimas, which is almost empty of residents and has no Hezbollah presence.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli forces in the area, with three statements confirming the targeting of Israeli positions and vehicles near Deirmimas.

Media reports mentioned multiple rocket strikes on Israeli targets in Khiam and near Tall al-Nahas, as well as a guided missile attack on Israeli movements near oil groves close to the Marqos station at Deirmimas’ edge.

A photo shared by Lebanese media showed an Israeli tank behind an exposed hill east of Qlayaa, protected from the west and north. To the south, Israeli forces entered the town of Deirmimas, which overlooks the position.

Military expert Mustafa Asaad said the image, showing a bulldozer behind a tank at the Qlayaa-Marjayoun-Deirmimas junction, suggests that infantry units secured the area—either on foot or in fast vehicles—before entering Deirmimas.

The town’s mayor confirmed to local media that Israeli forces made a “small incursion” into Deirmimas, advancing through olive groves from Kfar Kila.

Hezbollah has stated it does not have military positions in Christian or Druze areas in southern Lebanon, as these communities oppose its presence. Sources close to Hezbollah say this is due to political reasons and security concerns.