The 2015 Qamishli bombings, which occurred on December 30, involved three explosions that targeted different restaurants in an Assyrian neighborhood in Qamishli, Syria. At least one was confirmed as a suicide bombing, and the other two were believed to be similar attacks.[1] A total of 16 people were killed, including 14 Assyrian Christians and 2 Muslims, with 35 others wounded.[2] Shortly after the attacks, the Islamic State claimed responsibility.[3] Assyrian organisations claimed that the bombings were not likely a deed by the Islamic State, but possibly a crime by the Kurdish YPG.[4][5][6]
In the aftermath of the bombings, the Sootoro set up security checkpoints around the perimeter of the al-Wusta neighborhood.[7][8]
On 12 January 2016, at around 12:45, hundreds of Kurdish YPG fighters riding in 30 vehicles approached 500 Sootoro fighters at the checkpoint and demanded that they close it, stating that the checkpoints bothered residents.[9][8] When the Sootoro refused, a YPG gunner opened fire from a machine gun mounted on a technical vehicle, striking a Sootoro fighter in the head and killing him instantly.[7] The Sootoro fired back, killing 3 YPG fighters. A further 2 Sootoro fighters were wounded. 3 civilians were injured in the cross-fire. The fighting ended with a ceasefire.[7][9][8]
