RFE
18 Oct 2019, 23:45 GMT+10
Turkish-led bombardment killed 14 civilians in northeastern Syria on October 18, a war monitor said, despite a U.S.-brokered cease-fire that went into effect overnight.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the 14 were killed in Turkish air strikes and mortar fire by allied Syrian fighters on and around the village of Bab Al-Kheir, east of the border town of Ras Al-Ayn.
Eight fighters of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were also killed, the Britain-based group said.
SDF spokesman Mustefa Bali accused Turkey of violating the terms of the agreement reached during an October 17 visit to Ankara by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.
"Air and artillery attacks continue to target the positions of fighters, civilian settlements, and the hospital' in Ras Al-Ayn, he said.
Under the deal, all fighting was to halt for five days and the United States was to help facilitate the withdrawal of Kurdish-led troops from a 'safe zone' sought by Turkey along the border.
In Istanbul, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the agreement was holding and there had been no issues so far.
He warned that Ankara would restart its offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria on October 22 if they did not withdraw.
Turkish armed forces would remain in the region 'because the security there requires this,' Erdogan also said.
Turkey launched its ground and air offensive in northeastern Syria last week, saying it wanted to clear the area of a Kurdish militia that Ankara views as a terrorist group, and establish a buffer zone to resettle Syrian refugees.
The move came after Trump's abrupt decision announced last week to withdraw forces from the area where they had been supporting the SDF in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) extremist group.
Based on reporting by AFP and dpa
Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Republished with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036
Get a daily dose of Kenya Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Kenya Star.
More InformationNew Delhi [India], July 2 (ANI): Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited the Republic of Mauritius on Tuesday where he called on Mauritus...
Accra (Ghana) [India], July 2 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Ghana will be the first by an Indian Prime Minister...
Bulawayo [Zimbabwe], July 2 (ANI): After a majestic century in the first test against Zimbabwe on Tuesday, South Africa batter Lhuan-dre...
Bulawayo [Zimbabwe], July 1 (ANI): South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch on Tuesday became just the fourth from his country and first...
Bulawayo [Zimbabwe], July 1 (ANI): Following his side's win over Zimbabwe in the first Test, South African skipper Keshav Maharaj hailed...
Bulawayo [Zimbabwe], July 1 (ANI): A sensational century from debutant Lhuan-Dre Pretorious and an all-round performance from Corbin...
VILNIUS, Lithuania – A growing body of research suggests that selectively restricting a single nutrient in our diet could have profound...
SYDNEY, NSW, Australia - , Australian Federal Police (AFP) have shut down a secret drug lab in Sydney's west and seized more than 100kg...
Washington DC [US], July 2 (ANI): United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) said that Israel has agreed to the necessary...
Washington DC [US] July 2 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) reaffirmed that India-US will soon strike a trade...
U.S. Senate passes Trump's landmark mega-bill The GOP-led Senate on Tuesday passed U.S. President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful...
(250701) -- WASHINGTON, July 1, 2025 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press at the White House in Washington,...