Fights between Syrian opposition and PYD forces drags on, 8 militants dead

Heavy weapons are reported to have been used during the fights staged in the Syrian town of Ras al-Ayn, which borders the Turkish village of Ceylanpınar. The wounded, both from the PYD and the Syrian opposition, have been taken to Ceylanpınar State Hospital. The number of wounded Syrian rebels in the hospital has reached 40, according to local authorities, and four have lost their lives.

Although fighting continued along the borderline with the PYD forces exchanging fire with the Syrian rebels, media reports said many Syrians did not turn back from fleeing across the frontier. However, some of them were unable to cross the border due to repaired wire fencing.

Turkish man wounded by Syrian stray bullet

A Turkish official said on Thursday a man had been wounded by a stray bullet fired during clashes between Syrian opposition fighters and pro-government Kurdish gunmen across the border in Syria.

The official said the man was hit in the neck on Thursday in Ceylanpınar. The official, from the Ceylanpınar municipality, spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government rules.

Fighters from the Syrian government-supporting PYD, have been fighting armed opposition forces sporadically since November for control of the area.

Fighting forces schools to close

Authorities in the Ceylanpınar district were also forced to shut down schools due to the renewed fighting.

Local authorities announced on Thursday morning that schools would be closed in the Ceylanpınar district due to fighting in the Ras al-Ayn district in Syria. The schools were shut down over security concerns while the conflict across the border caused anxiety on the Turkish side.