Turkey Launches Airstrikes Against Kurdish Militants After Military Base Was Attacked

A Turkish F-16 fighter jet takes off from Incirlik airbase in the southern city of Adana, Turkey [File: Murad Sezer/Reuters]  

Reuters: Turkish air strikes hit 24 Kurdish militant targets in northern Iraq, Syria, ministry says 

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey's military conducted air strikes in northern Iraq and Syria on Sunday and destroyed 24 Kurdish militant targets, the Turkish Defence Ministry said in a statement, adding many militants had been "neutralised" in the attack. 

The term "neutralised" when used in such expressions most often means "killed". The operations were conducted in northern Syria and Metina, Hakurk, Gara, Asos and Qandil regions of northern Iraq at 10 p.m. (1900 GMT), the ministry said.  

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WNU Editor: Turkey is vowing more strikes .... Turkey vows further strikes against Kurdish militants in Iraq, Syria (Spokesman Review/German Press Agencies). 

Turkey Launches Airstrikes Against Kurdish Militants After Military Base Was Attacked  

Turkey strikes at Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria after deadly military base attack -- AP  

Turkey launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, destroying bunkers, shelters and oil facilities -- FOX News 

Turkey bombs 'terrorist targets' in Iraq and Syria -- Middle East Monitor 

Turkiye ‘neutralizes’ 36 terrorists in air, ground operations in northern Iraq -- Middle East Monitor  

Turkey launches air attacks against Kurdish rebels in Iraq and Syria -- Al Jazeera

Turkey Launches Military Offensive Against Kurdish Rebels In North Iraq

The National: Turkey flies commandos into Iraq in cross-border raid against Kurdish PKK

The unprecedented ground operation comes after days of heavy air strikes condemned by Arab states

Turkey has flown special forces into the Iraqi Kurdish regional governorate for a ground operation against militants, the Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.

The operation in Iraq’s Haftanin region, about 15 kilometres from the border, was launched following intense artillery fire into the area, the Turkish Defence Ministry said.

A Turkish military official said the operation began with artillery units targeting some 150 suspected PKK positions and was followed by an aerial attack involving F-16s, drones and attack helicopters.

"Operation Claw-Tiger has begun," it said on Twitter. "Our commandos, who are supported by combat helicopters and drones, have been transported by our air force," it said.

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WNU Editor: Now we know why Turkey's intelligence chief made a secret to Iraq a few days ago .... Turkey intelligence chief pays secret visit to Iraq (Middle East Monitor)

More News On Turkey Launching A Military Offensive Against Kurdish Rebels In North Iraq

Turkey begins offensive against Kurdish rebels in north Iraq -- AP
Turkey sends special forces into northern Iraq -- Al Jazeera
Turkish military strikes PKK positions, launches ground operation in northern Iraq -- Daily Sabah
Turkey launches Operation Claw-Tiger in northern Iraq -- Hurrieyt Daily News
Turkey begins fresh anti-terror Operation Claw-Tiger in northern Iraq -- TRT

Turkey Launches Airstrikes Into Northern Iraq

Reuters: Turkish jets strike Kurdish militant targets in northern Iraq: source

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish warplanes struck Kurdish militant targets in northern Iraq on Sunday night, a security source told Reuters, and Turkey’s Defence Ministry confirmed that it had launched an operation with its jets.

“The Claw-Eagle Operation has started. Our planes are bringing the caves down on the terrorists’ heads,” the ministry said on Twitter, without providing further information.

Turkey regularly targets Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants, both in Turkey’s mainly Kurdish southeast and in northern Iraq, where the group is based.

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Update #1: Turkey 'neutralizes' 2 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq (Anadolu Agency)
Update #2: Turkey strikes Kurdish targets in Iraq (AAP)

WNU Editor: Turkey is plotting something .... Turkey intelligence chief pays secret visit to Iraq (Middle East Monitor).

Turkey's Military Operation In Northern Syria -- News Updates October 18, 2019

Reuters: Trump says 'pause' in fighting in northeast Syria is back on

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that a five-day ceasefire along the Syrian-Turkish border had resumed, despite shelling and machine-gun fire earlier on Friday.

“There was some sniper fire this morning. There was mortar fire this morning. That was eliminated quickly. And they’re back to the full pause,” Trump told reporters.

The United States and Turkey announced on Thursday they had agreed to the pause in Turkey’s incursion into northern Syria to let the Kurdish-led SDF militia, forces long allied with Washington, withdraw from an area controlled by Turkish forces.

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WNU Editor: Too early to say where this ceasefire/pause will go. I expect we will no more in the coming days. Especially after this meeting .... Erdogan says he will discuss Syria 'safe zone' moves with Putin next week (Reuters).

Turkey's Military Operation In Northern Syria -- News Updates October 18, 2019

Turkey's military operation in Syria: All the latest updates -- Al Jazeera
Fighting continues on Syria-Turkey border amid war crimes allegations -- The Guardian
Turkey accused of defying Syrian border ceasefire -- DW
Syria cease-fire in question after fighting, shelling reported -- FOX News
Fighting continues in Syrian town despite cease-fire deal -- The Hill
Turkey denies reports of attacks in Syria after cease-fire deal -- UPI
Erdogan threatens to restart Syria offensive if Kurds fail to withdraw -- France 24
Turkey plans presence across northeast Syria, Erdogan says -- Reuters
Trump says Erdogan told him he wants ceasefire to work -- AFP
. Trump insists Turkish leader wants cease-fire -- The Hill
U.S. ground troops will not enforce Syria safe zone: defense secretary -- Reuters
What is the 'safe zone' Turkey wants in Syria? -- AFP

Turkey's Invasion Of Syria -- News Updates October 17, 2019

Daily Mail: Kurds claim Turkey are using banned weapons such as NAPALM and white phosphorus as Erdogan warns nobody – including the US – can stop his incursion into Syria

* Erdogan claimed he was willing to end his incursion if the Kurds laid down arms
* He said: 'We would stop the operation tonight, if they withdrew right away'
* Speech made to parliament on eve of talks with top US officials on Thursday
* Meanwhile it was revealed he threw Trump's olive branch letter 'in the bin'
* It comes as Syrian forces loyal to Assad bolstered key border town Kobane

Kurdish troops have claimed Turkey is using banned weapons such as napalm and white phosphorus as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned last night that nobody, not even the US, could stop his incursion into Syria.

The Kurdish authorities issued a statement last week condemning the use of 'all available weapons' at the strategic border town of Ras al-Ain, adding that these included 'phosphorus and napalm.'

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WNU Editor: The U.S. - Turkey ceasefire agreement in Syria is probably going to change everything from now on.

Turkey's Invasion Of Syria -- News Updates October 17, 2019

Turkey's military operation in Syria: All the latest updates -- Al Jazeera
Turkey's Syria offensive explained in four maps -- BBC
Kurds accuse Turkey of using napalm and white phosphorus -- France 24
Syria to counter Turkey by 'all legitimate means': Assad -- AFP
Syria Kurd families flee to Iraq as array of armies advance -- AFP
Turkey assault in NE Syria displaced 300,000: monitor -- AFP

Turkey's Invasion Of Syria -- News Updates October 16, 2019

CNN: Erdogan says Turkey will 'never declare a ceasefire'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dismissed US calls for a ceasefire in northern Syria and said that he's not worried about American-imposed sanctions, or the advancement of Russian-backed Syrian forces toward the Turkish border.

Speaking to journalists traveling on his presidential plane following a visit to Azerbaijan Tuesday, Erdogan said a ceasefire was off the table. "Declare a ceasefire, they say. We will never declare a ceasefire," Erdogan said. "We do not sit at the table with terrorist organizations."

Erdogan's comments come as Russian-backed Syrian regime troops on Tuesday gained control of the town of Manbij and surrounding areas, until recently an active US military outpost.

Russia has stepped up its role in the Syrian conflict by deploying military police to the country's north -- filling a vacuum left by the withdrawal of US troops from the area.

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Turkey's Invasion Of Syria -- News Updates October 16, 2019

Turkey's military operation in Syria: All the latest updates -- Al Jazeera
Syria troops fight Turkish forces alongside Kurds: monitor -- AFP
Turkey Urges Kurdish Fighters to Lay Down Their Arms -- The New York Times
Turkey defiant on Syria operation as US demands ceasefire -- AFP
Erdogan says Turkey will 'never' declare ceasefire in northern Syria -- France24
Turkey-Syria offensive: Erdogan vows to press on with 'safe zone' plan -- BBC
Russia offers to mediate in Syria, asserting its role -- AP
New front in Syria's war: Why Manbij matters -- Al Jazeera
Turkish patriotism on display amid Syria operation -- AP

US Officials: Turkey Deliberately Releasing ISIS Prisoners

Map via The Guardian

Zero Hedge: US Officials: Turkey Deliberately Releasing ISIS Prisoners, Then Blaming Kurdish Forces

Invading Turkish-backed forces are freeing Islamic State prisoners, according to Foreign Policy, also "executing Kurdish prisoners and killing unarmed civilians, videos show."

On Monday a senior U.S. administration official told reporters that Turkey's Syrian Islamist ground proxies are "going to unguarded prisons and releasing ISIS detainees - then blaming Syrian Democratic Forces."

And following prior reports since the start of Turkey's 'Operation Peace Spring' of mass ISIS prison breaks as Kurdish positions came under Turkish artillery fire, more former US captives are taking advantage of the chaos.

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WNU Editor: Turkey's Syrian fighters and proxies have a terrible history of extremism .... Money, hatred for the Kurds drives Turkey’s Syrian fighters (AP).

Turkey's President Erdogan Enjoying Wide Support Within Turkey For His Military Campaign Against The Kurds In Syria

Smoke rises over the Syrian town of Ras al-Ain as seen from the Turkish border town of Ceylanpinar, Sanliurfa province, Turkey, October 15. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov

Arwa Damon and Isil Sariyuce, CNN: Turkey's assault in Syria is a boon for Erdogan. Here's why

A burst of orange flashed from a field on the Turkish-Syrian border, against the backdrop of the setting sun. Rattles of gunfire from Syria pierced the silence of a sleepy Turkish ghost town. This was less than a week into the Turkish offensive into northern Syria, ostensibly to clear a so-called safe zone, in what Ankara calls "Operation Peace Spring."

For some in this border area, however, these scenes over the weekend are not unfamiliar.

Turkey has been embroiled in a long-running conflict with Kurdish fighters on the Turkish side of the border, and the operation that Ankara launched across it last week is just the latest flare-up in decades of tensions.

Yet Turkey has ambitious goals for its current operation: to set up a safe zone and eventually resettle upwards of 2 million Syrian refugees living inside Turkey across the border, a move that observers say would dramatically change the Kurdish-Arab demographic balance in northeastern Syria.

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WNU Editor: Turkish President Erdogan is already declaring victory, and that Turkey has now secured a "safe zone" along the border .... Erdogan announces liberation of Syria ‘safe zone’, ready for refugees to return (Middle East Monitor). But here is an easy prediction. Will the Turks be that supportive once they realize how much this "safe zone" is going to eventually cost if no one else will support it (and no one will) ..... Who will pay $53 billion for Turkey’s safe zone project? (Al-Monitor).

Turkey Invades Northern Syria -- News Updates October 15, 2019

Reuters: Turkey pushes offensive in Syria, despite sanctions and calls to stop

MANBIJ, Syria (Reuters) - Turkey pressed ahead with its offensive in northern Syria on Tuesday despite U.S. sanctions and growing calls for it to stop, while Syria’s Russia-backed army moved on the key city of Manbij that was abandoned by U.S. forces in Donald Trump’s retreat.

Reuters journalists accompanied Syrian government forces who entered the center of Manbij, a flashpoint where U.S. troops had previously conducted joint patrols with Turkey.

Russian and Syrian flags were flying from a building on the city outskirts, and from a convoy of military vehicles.

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Turkey Invades Northern Syria -- News Updates October 15, 2019

Turkey's military operation in Syria: All the latest updates -- Al Jazeera
The Latest: US troops leaving Syria to move to Iraq, Kuwait -- AP
Turkey steps up Syria offensive against Kurds in spite of Trump's warnings -- CBS
Kurdish-led fighters battle pro-Turkish forces for control of key border town -- Middle East Eye
Turkey's offensive in Syria: Syrian Kurds flee to northern Iraq -- Al Jazeera
Money, hatred for the Kurds drives Turkey’s Syrian fighters -- AP
Turkey may be 'responsible' for executions of Kurds in Syria: UN -- AFP
Turkey slams 'dirty deal' between Syria's Assad and Kurdish forces -- AFP
Turkish assault in Syria weakens Iraq Kurds, strengthens regional powers -- Reuters
Syria's Kurds, US allies of convenience, left in the lurch -- AFP

US To Pull Its Last Remaining 1,000 Troops Out Of Northern Syria 'As Safely And Quickly As Possible'

Daily Mail: US to pull its last remaining 1,000 troops out of northern Syria 'as safely and quickly as possible' as Turkish onslaught continues

* Defense Secretary Mark Esper announced the Pentagon's intentions on Sunday
* There were around 1,000 troops supporting the Kurdish-led forces against ISIS
* A number were pulled from the region ahead of Turkey's attack last week
* Esper said of the Kurds, 'we didn't sign up to fight the Turks on their behalf'

The United States will pull its last remaining 1,000 troops out of northern Syria 'as safely and quickly as possible' as the Turkish onslaught continues into its second week.

There had been around 1,000 soldiers in the territory allied with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to combat ISIS. The Pentagon previously had pulled about 30 of these troops from the Turkish attack zone along the border.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Sunday: 'It'll be a deliberate withdrawal, and we want to conduct it as safely and quickly as possible.'

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More News On The U.S. Withdrawal From Syria

US troops in northern Syria ordered to leave country: US official -- AFP
US pulls troops in north Syria, threatens Turkey sanctions -- AP
U.S. diplomatic team has left northeast Syria: U.S. official -- Reuters

Turkey's Military Operations In Northern Syria -- News Updates October 14, 2019

Reuters: Erdogan says Turkey will not back down from Syria offensive

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey will not back down from its offensive against Kurdish fighters in northeastern Syria “no matter what anyone says”, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, adding that the battle would continue until “ultimate victory” is achieved.

“We are determined to continue the operation until the end, without paying attention to threats. We will absolutely finish the job we started. Our battle will continue until ultimate victory is achieved,” Erdogan said during a speech in Baku.

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WNU Editor: Erdogan wants NATO's help .... Erdogan calls for NATO help in Syria; Trump, EU threaten sanctions (UPI). More here .... ‘Are you with us or with terrorists?’ Erdogan lashes out at NATO allies for failure to back Turkey’s Syria op (RT).

Turkey's Military Operations In Northern Syria -- News Updates October 14, 2019

Turkey's military operation in Syria: All the latest updates -- Al Jazeera
Syrian army pushes north as US prepares to withdraw troops -- AP
Syria moves troops toward Turkish offensive -- DW
Erdogan signals Manbij as next target in Turkey's Syria operation -- Al Jazeera
Turkey says Kurdish forces emptied Islamic State prison in northeast Syria -- Turkey
Erdogan sees no issues in Kobani after Syrian deployment, welcomes U.S. withdrawal -- Reuters

Turkey's Invasion Of Northern Syria -- News Updates October 12 - 13

Daily Mail: Turkish troops 'seize key Syrian town' displacing 200,000 people as more than 100 Kurdish YPG fighters and civilians are killed

* Turkey-backed Syrian opposition forces were said to have seized Ras al-Ain town
* The death toll rose to 74 Syrian Kurdish-led fighters and 30 civilians on Saturday
* Intense gunfire heard within Ras al-Ain as Turkey stepped up its bombardment
* Syrian Kurdish-led administration said 200,000 people have been displaced

Some 200,000 people have been displaced in a military assault in northern Syria as Turkish forces claimed on Saturday they have seized control of a key border town.

Turkey-backed Syrian troops were said to have taken over Ras al-Ain this morning as Turkey's offensive against a Kurdish militia in the region entered its fourth day.

'The [Syrian rebel] national army took control of the town centre this morning. Inspections are being conducted in residential areas,' a senior Turkish official said.

Kurdish authorities have, however, denied this is the case. 'Ras al-Ain is still resisting and clashes are ongoing,' the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said.

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Turkey's Invasion Of Northern Syria -- News Updates October 12 - 13

Turkish forces say they’ve captured key Syrian border town -- AP
Turkish-led forces advance into Syrian border town, fighting rages -- Reuters
Turkey says key Syrian border town captured in offensive against Kurdish militia -- France 24
Turkey claims capture of key Syrian border town -- Al Jazeera
Pro-Turkey rebels 'execute' nine civilians in Syria: Monitor -- Middle East Monitor
SDF says Turkey-backed rebels killed Kurdish politician, rebels deny it -- Reuters
Kurdish-led SDF says Turkish invasion has revived IS, urges no-fly zone -- Reuters
Kurdish militia call for no fly zone as international condemnation of Turkey grows -- ABC News Online
Syrian Kurds' military leader tells U.S. diplomat that 'you are leaving us to be slaughtered' and demands that America helps stop Turkish forces or risk them turning to the Assad regime and Russia -- Daily Mail
Betrayal on the border: Kurds fear future as Turkish assault intensifies -- The Guardian
Turkey's Syria offensive an 'invasion': Arab League secretary general -- Reuters

Turkey's Military Operation Much Larger Than Expected By Military Observers

Arab and Kurdish civilians flee following Turkish bombardment in Syria's northeastern town of Ras al-Ain [Delil Souleiman/AFP]

Al Jazeera: Turkey military operation much larger than anticipated: Analysts

Tactic is to advance into Arab-majority areas and drive a wedge between YPG-controlled territory, observers say.

The long-awaited operation launched by Turkey into northeastern Syria extended far beyond what was initially expected by military observers who predicted Ankara would likely embark on limited action.

In the first hours of Operation Peace Spring, Turkish air raids across the border reached as far as Qamishli in the east and further west of Kobane.

Mutlu Civiroglu, a Washington-based Middle East analyst, told Al Jazeera the scale of the attack surprised many analysts.

"They've already hit 300km length and 50km depth, almost all major cities are hit," Civiroglu said.

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WNU Editor: So much for Turkish President Erdogan's commitment to President Trump that his focus was on the border region.

Turkey's Invasion Of Northern Syria -- News Updates October 15, 2019

Daily Mail: 100,000 civilians flee Turkish incursion into Syria as Erdogan's troops continue to advance, with Ankara claiming it has killed 342 Kurdish fighters

Turkey's claims of 342 Kurdish militia killed were contradicted by other reports of 41 fighters confirmed dead
Ankara began its air and ground offensive across the 75-mile front Wednesday to establish a 'safe zone'
Turkey announced today two of its men had been 'martyred' in fighting on the northern Syrian border
Amid widespread international condemnation Emmanuel Macron said the EU sanctions were 'on the table'
Donald Trump said he had three choices: send in troops 'and win', 'hit Turkey very hard financially' or mediate
Turkey's fight against 'terrorists' refers to the Kurdish-led SDF forces who were pivotal in the defeat of ISIS
Riots erupted at the al-Hol camp, renowned for housing Shamima Begum, amid fears of an IS resurgence

One hundred thousand terrified civilians have fled the Turkish incursion into Syria, it has emerged as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's troops continue to advance - with Ankara claiming it has killed 342 Kurdish fighters.

Air strikes, artillery bombardments and small arms fire raged throughout border settlements along the 75-mile front for a third day, with Foreign Minister Hulusi Akar today announcing Turkey's forces had 'neutralised' hundreds of 'terrorists.'

The United Nations estimated 100,000 people had fled, piling trucks and cars high with their possessions as shells decimated their hometowns, in a grim echo of how they sought refuge from marauding ISIS fanatics only a few years before.

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Turkey's Invasion Of Northern Syria -- News Updates October 15, 2019

Turkey's military operation in Syria: All the latest updates -- Al Jazeera
Turkish forces push deeper into Syria, with deaths rising -- AP
Heavy fighting as Syria Kurds hold off Turkish assault -- AFP
Syrian Kurds 'determined' to resist Turkish operation -- Al Jazeera
UN: 100,000 flee after Turkish incursion in Syria -- DW
U.N.: 70,000 have fled homes in Syria due to Turkish incursion -- UPI
Kurdish civilians flee as Turkish forces bomb Syria for third day -- The Guardian
Thousands of civilians flee as Syria Kurds defend against Turkish onslaught -- France 24
US-backed Syrian forces claim Turkey bombed a commando camp housing coalition-trained counterterrorism forces -- Military Times
Cut off from US help, Kurds fighting a desperate battle against Turkey on their own, says a former commando who describes himself as ‘disillusioned’ and ‘embarrassed’ -- Military Times
Divided UN fails to agree on Turkey's Syria offensive -- DW
NATO leader, Turkey's Cavusoglu discuss military action in Syria -- Al Jazeera

Turkey's Invasion Of Northern Syria -- News Updates October 10, 2019

Daily Mail: Turkey releases video of its commandos advancing against Kurdish fighters as civilians continue to flee airstrikes and shelling in towns along the Syrian border

* Turkey's infantry are continuing their advance against Kurdish fighters as they bombard northern Syria
* Operation Peace Spring began on Wednesday with barrages from artillery and war planes
* President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claims a 'safe zone' will push the Kurds out and allow for Syrian repatriation
* Trump had agreed to withdraw US troops from Syria and hand control of the military operation to the Turkish
* US President said Turkey's incursion into Syria was a 'bad idea' and that the US 'does not endorse this attack'
* The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) claim bombing has already killed and wounded civilians
* Jets and artillery targeted Kurdish positions in northern Syria before the ground operation started last night

Turkey's commandos moved against Kurdish fighters last night after the artillery and air force pounded northern Syria with a barrage of shelling, sending thousands fleeing.

Video footage released by Turkey's Defence Ministry shows 'hero' commandos moving through fields under cover of darkness and firing rounds after Operation Peace Spring was launched on Wednesday afternoon.

The invasion has been widely condemned around the world. Terrified residents were seen fleeing on foot, by car and piling rickshaws high with their possessions as they left their homes - a grim echo of how they sought refuge from the Islamic State only a few years before.

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Turkey's Invasion Of Northern Syria -- News Updates October 10, 2019

Turkey's military operation in Syria: All the latest updates -- Al Jazeera
Turkey Syria offensive: Tens of thousands flee homes -- BBC
Turkey presses Syrian assault as thousands flee the fighting -- AP
Thousands flee, hundreds reported dead in Turkish attack on U.S.-allied Kurds in Syria -- Reuterss
Tens of thousands of civilians flee Turkish offensive in Syria -- Guardian
Airstrikes, shelling as Turkey and Kurds clash in Syria -- DW
Turkey pounds north Syrian Kurds in second day of assault as thousands of civilians flee the region -- ABC News Online
Fighting rages as Turkey steps up assault against Kurdish forces -- Al Jazeera
Turkish President threatens EU with refugee influx, tells Saudis to 'look in the mirror' -- ABC News Online
Turkish public, politicians voice support for Syria military push -- Al Jazeera
Trump says he hopes he can 'mediate' between Turkey and the Kurds -- Al Jazeera
US Republicans seek sanctions on Turkey over Syria -- BBC
House Republicans to introduce bill slapping Turkey with sanctions over offensive in Syria -- RT
Divided UN fails to agree on Turkey's Syria offensive -- DW
European powers urge Turkey to 'cease' Syria operation -- Al Jazeera
Turkey within Trump red line, US seeking ceasefire: official -- AFP
Turkey's offensive in Syria ‘risks causing humanitarian crisis’ -- Al Jazeera

U.S.-Backed Syrian Forces Have Halted Counter-Islamic State Operations To Face The Turkish Military Offensive

Reuters: Exclusive: U.S.-backed Syrian forces halt counter-Islamic State operations -sources

WASHINGTON/BEIRUT (Reuters) - U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters have halted operations for now against Islamic State in Syria as Turkey launches a military offensive in Syria’s northeast, two U.S. officials and a Kurdish military source said on Wednesday.

“The SDF stopped the anti-ISIS operations because it’s impossible to carry out any operation while you are being threatened by a large army right on the northern border,” the Kurdish military source said.

One of the U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the suspension also impacted U.S. training of stabilization forces in Syria.

It was unclear whether the pause affected every aspect of U.S.-partnered operations against Islamic State or whether there might be exceptions. The U.S. military was not immediately available for comment.

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WNU Editor: President Trump's remarks that the U.S. going into the Middle East was the "worst decision" ever may be right .... Trump: US going into Middle East was 'worst decision ever (AFP). But this decision to abandon the Kurds and trust Turkish President Erdogan will not exploit the situation to destroy the Syrian Kurds may end up being President Trump's worst decision ever made.

An Analysis On How The Turkish Military May Engage The Kurds In Syria

Al Jazeera: How would a battle between Turkey and the SDF play out?

Ankara expected to send its forces across the border in northeast Syria following US move to withdraw troops from area.

Ankara, Turkey - The withdrawal of US troops from the area around Syria's northeast border with Turkey has set the stage for a military confrontation between Washington's long-time Kurdish allies and fellow NATO member Ankara.

Following President Donald Trump's announcement on Sunday that US troops would stand aside to allow a long-threatened Turkish military operation, Turkey is expected to send its forces across the frontier within days.

While the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has been extensively armed by Washington to lead the ground fight against ISIL, it lacks the armour, artillery and air power of a modern military force.

Turkey, which boasts the second-largest army in NATO, has all the attributes of such a power and its troops have gained experience through two previous operations in northern Syria, as well as decades of fighting the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) within its own borders.

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WNU Editor: The Kurds may know the terrain, but the Turkish military has the armour and firepower to exploit the terrain to its advantage.

Turkey Has Started Attacking Kurdish Militia Positions In Northeast Syria

Reuters: Civilians flee Syrian border towns as Turkish warplanes, artillery kick off offensive

AKCAKALE, Turkey (Reuters) - Turkey attacked Kurdish militia positions in northeast Syria on Wednesday, pounding them with air strikes and artillery barrages in a cross-border military operation just days after U.S. troops pulled back from the area.

Thousands of people fled the Syrian town of Ras al Ain toward Hasaka province, held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The Turkish air strikes had killed two civilians and wounded two others, the SDF said.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, announcing the start of the action, said the aim was to eliminate what he called a “terror corridor” on Turkey’s southern border.

But U.S. President Donald Trump, who ordered the U.S. pullout last week in an abrupt policy shift, said the offensive was “a bad idea” and he did not endorse it. He expected Turkey to protect civilians and religious minorities and to prevent a humanitarian crisis, he said.

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More News On Turkey Beginning Their Offensive Against Syria's Kurds

Turkey begins military offensive in Syria: Live Updates -- CNN
Turkey-Syria border: All the latest updates -- Al Jazeera
Turkey launches offensive against Kurdish fighters in Syria -- AP
Turkey launches offensive in northern Syria with air strikes -- BBC
Turkey launches military operations against Kurds in northern Syria -- France 24
Erdoğan announces start of Turkish offensive in northern Syria -- The Hill
Turkey launches military operation in northeast Syria -- Al Jazeera
Turkey launches military operation in northern Syria -- The Guardian
Turkish military launches attack on Kurdish positions in Syria -- ABC News Online
Turkey launches air strikes against Kurds as ground forces assemble on Syrian border -- UPI
Video Shows Alleged Turkish Airstrike on Kurdish Support Convoy on Iraq-Syria Border -- Sputnik
Turkish military, rebels to cross Syrian border 'shortly' -- Al Jazeera
Tens of thousands of Syrian fighters mobilised by Turkey -- AFP
Syrian Kurds call civilians to front lines as Turkey poised for attack -- France 24
Kurds issue 'general mobilization' call ahead of anticipated Turkish strike -- The Hill
Kurds mobilise in Syria as Turkey poised for imminent attack -- Al Jazeera
FRANCE 24 SPECIAL: Syrian Kurds fear the worst as Turkey launches offensive -- France 24
'People are panicking but life goes on': Syrian Kurds brace for war -- The Guardian
Erdoğan's Syrian incursion could be his biggest gamble yet -- Simon Tisdall, The Guardian

Turkey's Military Ready To Invade Northern Syria

Daily Mail: Turkey fires first shots: Ankara bombs Kurdish supply route ahead of invasion to create a 'peace corridor' along border just hours after Trump pulls US troops - as president reveals he has invited Erdogan to the White House next month

* Turkey confirmed it carried out strikes against Kurdish forces on the Syria-Iraq border overnight Monday
* Strike was designed to sever supply lines between Kurds in the two countries in preparation for invasion
* Turkey plans to create a 'peace corridor' in northern Syria by driving Kurdish forces away from its border
* Comes after Donald Trump agreed to withdraw U.S troops from Syria, but denied he abandoned the Kurds
* Trump revealed on Tuesday that he has extended an invitation to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to meet with him at the White House in November
* He tweeted that Turkey was a 'good trading partner' of the U.S and 'have been very good to deal with'

Turkey fired its first shots against the Kurds overnight by bombing a key supply route on the Syrian-Iraqi border, officials have confirmed.

The Turkish air force struck the Semalka Border Crossing in order to stop Kurdish forces resupplying along a route which links their territories in northern Iraq and Syria, two security officials said.

'One of the fundamental goals was to cut off the transit route between Iraq and Syria before the operation in Syria, a source told Reuters. 'In this way, the group's support lines, including ammunition, are shut off.'

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More News On Turkish Forces Ready To Engage Kurdish Forces In Northern Syria

Turkey-Syria border: All the latest updates -- Al Jazeera
Ahead of offensive, Turkey says it strikes Syria-Iraq border -- Reuters
Turkey dismisses US threats, amasses troops on Syrian border -- France 24
Turkey boosts troops on Syria border after operation warning -- BBC
Erdogan's aide says Turkey to start Syria offensive 'shortly' -- Reuters
Turkey: Preparations 'complete' for Syria military action -- Al Jazeera
Turkey vows to press ahead with attack on Kurdish-led forces in Syria -- The Guardian
Turkey's military gets into position at Syria-Iraq border, anticipating withdrawal by US -- ABC News Online
Turkey prepares to fight Kurds in northern Syria -- UPI
'People are panicking but life goes on': Syrian Kurds brace for war -- The Guardian
Turkey says it won’t bow to US threat over its Syria plans -- AP

Reports: Turkey Has Launched Air Strikes On Kurdish Positions In Northern Syria

i24 News: Turkish jets strike Kurdish targets in northern Syria: reports

Attack against the US allies comes after Washington announced pullback of its troops from region

Turkey's air force launched an offensive against Kurdish targets in north-east Syria, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported late Monday, followed by the US's earlier announcement not to intervene in the region.

This report comes in light of a tumultuous day stirred in Washington after US President Donald Trump ordered a withdrawal of American forces from Syria, acquiescing to his Turkish counterpart's request on Sunday.

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Update: Erdogan's Syria Invasion Begins: Turkish Jets Filmed Bombing Kurdish Targets (Zero Hedge).

WNU Editor: These air strikes were launched just after the few U.S. troops that were near the border withdrew this morning. As to what is my take on this Turkish operation. I do not think President Erdogan has an appreciation on the mess that he is stepping into .... U.S. official says planned Turkish incursion into Syria 'very bad idea' (Reuters). As for the U.S. decision to withdraw. I do not think they had any choice. It was withdraw or face a military confrontation against a NATO ally that has a lot of firepower in the region.