The Third Division of the Syrian National Army, which is backed by Turkey, released footage of fighters preparing to topple a statue linked to pre-Muslim traditions in Afrin on March 18.

The statue of Kawa the Blacksmith is linked in Kurdish tradition to Nowrouz, a celebration of the new year, which takes place on the vernal equinox.

Footage with the watermark of DHA, a Turkish news agency, shows the statue falling after fighters tried to pull it down using rope and a bulldozer, and then resorted to shooting it.

In 2018, people in Iran, Kurds, and others celebrate Nowrouz on March 20. Credit: Third Division via Storyful