The Turkish authorities said it arrested a person suspected to be behind the fuel truck that exploded in Syria's Afrin killing dozens of civilians.
An explosive-rigged fuel truck detonated in Afrin, in Aleppo’s northern countryside, killing 46 civilians, including 11 children, and injuring 47 citizens, Turkish defense ministry announced.
Security forces of Hatay governorate said it arrested a suspected terrorist for delivering a vehicle packed with bombs set to explode.
For his part, General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi condemned the attack, saying Turkey’s “policy of destruction” is responsible for this “terrorist act.”
Abdi condemned in a tweet the “terrorist act which claimed the lives of innocent people.
"This criminal act is the outcome of destructive policy pursued by the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries in the city of peace and olives,” he said.
Earlier, the Syrian Democratic Council condemned the Afrin attack and said Turkey and allied factions are responsible for it.
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu blamed the attack on “the heinous terrorist organization PKK/YPG” and their supporters.
“Wishing Allah’s mercy upon the deceased. Those who support the terrorists and trying to take it off the terror list are also responsible for this cowardly attack,” Cavusoglu added.
Turkish Interior Minister Suleiman Soylu said, in a tweet, that the bombing carried out by the "treacherous terrorist organization" will not go unpunished.
The death toll is considered among the highest in the region since it was captured by Turkish forces two years ago.
Turkish forces, along with Syrian factions loyal to them, took control over the Kurdish-majority Afrin region, after an attack on Kurdish fighters which Ankara deemed "terrorist”.
The US State Department issued a statement condemning the attack, saying it was an “act of terror” that claimed the lives of dozens of people shopping in the central market as they prepared to break the Ramadan fast.
“Initial reports indicate many victims were civilians, including children. Such cowardly acts of evil are unacceptable from any side in this conflict. The US renews its call for support and implementation of a nationwide ceasefire in Syria, as called for by UN Special Representative Geir Pedersen,” read the statement.
Military operations have forced half of the region's 320,000 residents to flee, many of whom were unable to return home, according to the United Nations.
Meanwhile, Turkish Defense Ministry announced that the security forces killed at least 11 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria.
“The terror group's attempt to infiltrate into the Operation Peace Spring zone with an aim to disrupt the peace and security environment was thwarted by our heroic commandos. 11 YPG/PKK terrorists have been neutralized in a successful operation before their aims,” the ministry said on Twitter.
It explained that the “terrorist elements” attacked Turkish soldiers stationed 26 kilometers south of Ras el-Ein.
The group then tried to infiltrate from another location, but the reconnaissance unit monitored the group of 10 to 15 terrorists and informed all the operations centers.
The group fired automatic rifles and rocket-propelled grenades at the Turkish army and attempted to approach its positions. The army then responded by killing 11 members, and none of the Turkish army or the Syrian factions were injured.
