Konflikten i Syrien

URGENT: Turkish forces begin Syria operation as US stands down - reports sptnkne.ws/9YV7

ISTANBUL—The Turkish military began an offensive in Syria Wednesday to seize territories held by U.S.-backed Kurdish forces, opening a new front in the war-ravaged country.

Turkish authorities kicked off the military incursion despite repeated U.S. warnings that it will punish Turkey if it attacks the Kurdish militants, Washington’s partner in the fight against Islamic State in northeastern Syria.

The offensive in Syria, Turkey’s third since 2016, raises fear of a violent confrontation because the Kurdish militias have vowed to defend their semiautonomous region.

Turkish officials said their twin goal was to drive armed Kurdish groups it views as terrorists back from its border with Syria and create a “safe zone” to relocate millions of Syrian refugees who have fled the eight-year conflict.

Ahead of the offensive, Russia, the main backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, said it would accommodate an incursion from Turkey to support its security. But another of the Syrian government’s supporters, Iran, urged Turkey to respect Syria’s national sovereignty.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest developments following President Donald Trump’s decision to abandon Syrian Kurdish fighters ahead of an expected Turkish offensive into northeastern Syria (all times local):

4:35 p.m.

A spokesman for the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led force in northern Syria says Turkish warplanes have started targeting “civilian areas” in northern Syria.

Mustafa Bali of the Syrian Democratic Forces says the airstrikes have caused “a huge panic among people of the region.”

Bali’s tweet on Wednesday afternoon came shortly after Turkish President Erdogan announced in tweet that Turkish offensive into northeast Syria has started.

Turkey has been massing troops for days in preparation for an attack against Kurdish fighters in northeast Syria that Ankara considers a terrorist organization

___

4:30 p.m.

A U.S. official says the Turkish airstrikes in northeastern Syria are not coordinated with the U.S. military and are considered dangerous for the coalition forces and civilians in the area.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief reporters.

Turkey’s President Erdogan announced airstrikes began in Kurdish-controlled areas of northeastern Syria on Wednesday.

— By Sarah El Deeb.

___

4:25 p.m.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that a Turkish military operation into Syria has started.

Erdogan said on his official Twitter account Wednesday that the operation, named “Peace Spring,” has begun. He said the operation aims to eradicate “the threat of terror” against Turkey.

Earlier, Turkish television reports said Turkish jets had bombed Syrian Kurdish positions across the border from Turkey.

Turkey had long threatened an attack on the Kurdish fighters whom Ankara considers to terrorists and an extention of

Trump agreed to withdraw US troops from Syria and hand control to Turkey