Internal Forces in Kobani clarify circumstances of Ashmeh, Jada Incidents

The villages of Ashmeh and Jada in southern rural Kobani witnessed security tensions that escalated into limited clashes following a local dispute between shepherding families. Misunderstandings later compounded the situation, leading to further escalation. In the aftermath of the incident, the Internal Security Forces moved to restore order, contain the tensions, and launch investigations to determine the circumstances of what had occurred and identify those responsible.

These developments come at a time when the region is witnessing ongoing security and administrative efforts aimed at strengthening stability and preventing any attempts to undermine understandings among local communities. To clarify the events of that day, ANHA's agency conducted an interview with Amin Saleh, a member of the General Leadership of the Internal Security Forces in the Kobani region.

Saleh said: “The dispute began last Wednesday between the villages of Ashmeh and Jada in the western countryside of Kobani, stemming from a disagreement between two shepherds over grazing rights. It later developed into a conflict between two shepherding families. After gunfire was heard and tensions rose in the area, a patrol from the Public Security Forces stationed at a checkpoint in Jada village intervened.”

He added: “The patrol was unintentionally targeted by some residents of Ashmeh village due to a misunderstanding related to the ongoing dispute. This resulted in material damage to the patrol vehicle and injuries to one of its members.”

Saleh continued: “While attempting to arrest an individual involved in targeting the patrol, and during the raid operation, one of the patrol members fell into a deep pit inside the village, causing him to go missing and lose communication with the unit. As a result, the patrol believed that he had been detained by some local residents.”

He explained: “Based on that assumption, the Public Security Forces carried out a large-scale search operation in the village, which included the use of surveillance drones. However, one of the drones suffered a technical malfunction, crashed, and caused fires in some properties and agricultural fields in Ashmeh village.”

He pointed out that: “The misunderstanding resulting from residents not knowing the identity of the force present in the area led to limited clashes between some villagers and the Public Security Forces.”

Saleh added: “The missing security officer was later found inside a deep pit in one of the village houses. He had sustained serious injuries as a result of the fall.”

He stressed: “As soon as our forces in Kobani received information about the situation, they intervened directly to separate the two sides, contain the incident, and address the misunderstanding that had occurred. A security sweep was then conducted in the villages of Ashmeh and Jada, leading to the detention of several suspects, who are currently under investigation.”

He also noted that: “The Public Security Forces have suspended the patrol commander who led the raid operation. He is currently being held by the competent authorities in Aleppo Governorate.”

In a related context, Saleh stated: “Certain parties attempted to exploit the incident to spread discord and inflame tensions between the Kurdish and Arab communities, with the aim of provoking internal conflict.”

He further noted: “On the same day, an Internal Security Forces checkpoint in the village of Jubb al-Faraj in western rural Kobani was subjected to three separate attacks by unknown groups, although no injuries were reported.”

Saleh concluded by emphasizing: “These movements are part of attempts to undermine the ongoing process of understandings and integration between the Democratic Autonomous Administration and Syria’s Interim Government.”

He added: “The integration process is continuing. Approximately 70 percent of registration-related files, including vehicle and weapons records, have already been transferred to the Internal Security Forces in Aleppo Governorate. Work is currently focused on the justice sector, as the Internal Security Forces are responsible for implementing its decisions, with the ultimate goal of completing their integration into the Ministry of Interior structure in Aleppo Governorate.”

ANHA