ALEPPO, Syria — The area in northeastern Syria affected by Operation Peace Spring continues to suffer from a chaotic security situation, raising fears among residents. The area is controlled by the Syrian National Army (SNA) of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and the Turkish army. This is happening despite elaborate efforts by the local councils to achieve stability in the area and help Syrian refugees in Turkey return to their homes.

The opposition-affiliated Ministry of Interior of the Syrian Interim Government announced Jan. 12 that the police and general security forces would begin their work in the Turkish-occupied security zone after having received the adequate and necessary training in Turkey. The situation, however, remains unsettled.

A car bomb exploded Jan. 16 in the town of Suluk near the Tell Abyad district in the north of Raqqa governorate. The explosion targeted the SNA headquarters and killed at least 10 fighters, including three Turkish army soldiers.

Earlier, on Jan. 8, four Turkish soldiers were killed in a car bomb in the town of al-Arbaeen on the western side of the town of Tell Tamr in Ras al-Ain.