Turkish forces approach key Kurdish-held town in northern Syria. U.S. official says situation is “deteriorating rapidly” and U.S. troops are at risk of being isolated, unable to travel without “high risk” of armed confrontation with Turkey-backed forces.
People watch from Akcakale, Sanliurfa province, southeastern Turkey, as smoke billows from fires on targets in Tel Abyad, Syria, caused by bombardment by Turkish forces, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. The United Nations says at least 130,000 people have been displaced by the fighting in northeastern Syria with many more likely on the move as a Turkish offensive in the area enters its fifth day.
The camp in Ein Eissa, some 35 kilometers south of the border, is home to some 12,000 people, including 1,000 wives and widows of Islamic State fighters and their children. The Kurdish-led administration in northern Syria said in a statement that 950 IS supporters escaped after attacking guards and storming the gates. It was not immediately possible to confirm that figure.
The U.S. official said a “small group” of American troops withdrew from a base in the town because of the threat posed by Syrian fighters allied with Turkey, but that U.S. forces were still present in larger bases nearby. The United Nations says more than 130,000 Syrians have fled since the operation began five days ago, including many who had taken refuge from previous rounds of fighting in the country’s eight-year civil war.
Smoke could be seen rising from several points in the Syrian town of Tel Abyad, near the border, as a machine-gun mounted pick-up truck filled with Turkey-backed Syrian fighters drove along the outskirts. In the distance, a flag of the main Kurdish militia could still be seen waving from a tall post.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Turkish-led forces pursue assault around Syrian border townsTurkish forces targeted areas around two Syrian border towns with fresh shelling...
Read more »
Turkish-backed Syrian rebels seize center of Syrian border town: senior Turkish officialTurkish-backed Syrian rebels seized control of the center of the Syrian border t...
Read more »
The Latest: Turkish forces capture key Syrian border townAKCAKALE, Turkey (AP) — The Latest on Turkey's invasion of northeastern Syria in a military operation against Syrian Kurdish fighters there (all times local): 12:45 p.m. Turkey says...
Read more »
Turkey-backed Syrian rebels seize Ras al Ain town center: officialTurkish-backed Syrian rebels seized control of Ras al Ain's town center in ...
Read more »
Turkey-backed forces seize control of Syrian border town as offensive continuesTurkish-backed Syrian rebel factions overran the Syrian border town of Ras al-Ayn on Saturday, officials said, securing a strategic passageway for Turkey’s offensive against a U.S.
Read more »
Turkey claims capture of key Syria border town as offensive continuesTurkish forces claimed to have taken control of a key Syrian border town Saturday as their assault against Kurdish fighters in the region continued.
Read more »