Turkish artillery bombed Kurdish-controlled areas in northern Syria, causing a mass exodus of civilians.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Turkish artillery struck areas under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Tal Tamr and Abu Rashin.
A spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces told the German news agency that Turkish forces and Syrian rebels affiliated with Ankara tried to infiltrate the northern sector of Manbij yesterday, but were repelled by Kurdish fighters.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan stressed that Turkey's new military operation may reach a depth of thirty kilometers inside Syrian territory.
Yesterday, Russia expressed concern about the instability that the launch of a large-scale Turkish military operation could cause.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova had expressed hope that Ankara would refrain from actions that could lead to a dangerous deterioration of the already complicated situation in Syria.
She had indicated that Moscow understands Ankara's desire to establish security in the area of its border with Syria, suggesting, however, that the best way to do so would be to allow Syrian government troops to be stationed at the border.
[BR][BR]The United States has made clear that it will oppose any escalation of the situation in northern Syria.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Washington supports maintaining existing ceasefire lines.
Source: Cyprus Times
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