Pages and accounts on social media circulated a report claiming that armed groups affiliated with the Syrian authorities had burned civilian homes and property after entering the village of Slib Qiran east of the city of Kobani.
The fact-checking team conducted a field inquiry by contacting a responsible source in Tell Abyad, and the source denied that any burning of civilian homes or property had taken place in the village of Slib Qiran, noting that the timing of the circulation of these claims coincides with the near-completion of demining and the return of residents to the area, and considering that their aim is to disrupt the return of stability and to frighten residents away from returning to their homes.
Why is this claim misleading?
Fabricated field news: An unverified field claim about the burning of civilian homes was circulated and denied by a responsible source in the area, and its publication coincided with residents' return after demining, with the aim of frightening residents and disrupting the return of stability.
