In a new phase of their operation against Kurdish-led forces, Turkey has sent more tanks into Northern Syria
Approximately 20 tanks, five armored personnel carriers along with trucks and other armored vehicles on Saturday crossed the border near the Turkish village of Cobanbey on Saturday, according to Turkish media reports.
Civilians were seen fleeing as the Turkish military advanced.
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Press TV reports:
The area is some 55 kilometers southwest of Jarablus, where last week Turkish-backed Syrian militants launched “Operation Euphrates Shield”, Turkey’s first major incursion into Syria since the start of the foreign-backed militancy in the Arab country more than five years ago.
The reports also said that Turkish howitzers pounded alleged Daesh positions in the area as the fresh armored contingent advanced.
In response, Daesh terrorists reportedly fired three rockets into the southeastern city of Kilis.
Ambulances, police and rescue units were dispatched to the area.
Turkey launched an incursion into Syria on August 24. It said the incursion was meant to engage the Daesh Takfiri terrorists in the Syrian-Turkish border area as well as Kurdish fighters, who were themselves fighting Daesh.
The Turkish forces engaged the fighters of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), which Turkish authorities say is allied with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The PKK has been fighting for an autonomous Kurdish region inside Turkey since the 1980s.
Hours after the beginning of the operation, Turkish-backed militants seized Jarablus.
Since then, militants have reportedly been seizing villages along the Turkish border near Jarablus and the western Cobanbey district from Daesh.
Ankara has said its military campaign is aimed at “cleansing” the region of Daesh and preventing Kurdish forces from gaining power in the ensuing void.
Iran and Russia have warned against Turkey’s military presence in Syria and called on Ankara to immediately pull out Turkish troops from the Arab country.
Niamh Harris