Rockets fired from the Afrin region of northern Syria struck the Turkish border city of Kilis on 24 January 2018, killing two people and wounding eleven, according to local authorities.
One projectile hit a mosque during prayers. The dead were reported to be a Turkish citizen and a Syrian national. Kilis and the nearby town of Reyhanlı had already experienced a series of cross-border strikes after Turkey began Operation Olive Branch four days earlier.
The attacks demonstrated how quickly the Afrin campaign was affecting civilian communities on both sides of the frontier. Turkey presented the rocket fire as evidence of the threat posed by the YPG and used it to reinforce public support for extending military operations. Kurdish sources, meanwhile, reported civilian harm from Turkish air and artillery attacks inside Afrin.
The violence also sharpened international concern about escalation. The United States urged Turkey to limit the scope and duration of its campaign, while Ankara signalled that it might move beyond Afrin toward Manbij. With American personnel present near YPG-linked forces farther east, the prospect of a wider operation risked direct friction between allied states.
Sources
Zeynep Aziz is a social-affairs specialist, writer and advocate with advanced academic qualifications in both Social Sciences and International Relations. Her multidisciplinary education has given her a strong understanding of society, public policy, human rights and the political forces shaping Turkey’s domestic and international development.
For many years, Zeynep has been actively engaged in social affairs and initiatives supporting the rights and well-being of Turkish citizens. Her work pays particular attention to social equality, democratic participation and the protection of vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.
Women’s rights remain central to her interests and advocacy. She works to raise awareness of the challenges faced by women in Turkey, including discrimination, violence, unequal opportunities and barriers to full participation in political, professional and social life. She strongly supports women’s empowerment, equal access to education and employment, and effective legal protection for women and girls.
Alongside her social work, Zeynep closely follows Turkey’s international relations and foreign policy. She takes a keen interest in Turkey’s relations with Europe, neighbouring countries and international institutions, as well as the impact of regional and global developments on Turkish society.
Through her writing and public engagement, Zeynep seeks to encourage informed discussion, strengthen respect for human rights and contribute to a fairer, more democratic and inclusive Turkey.
Zeynep Aziz
