News / Turkey

Turkey, US kill 8 militants in northern Syria

Thursday, 23 June 2016 8:26 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 23 June 2016 8:54 AM ]

Soldiers carry ammunition as Turkish artillery fire from the border near Kilis toward northern Syria, in Kilis, Turkey, February 15, 2016. © AP

At least eight Daesh terrorists have reportedly been killed by Turkish artillery fire and US airstrikes in northern Syria.

Military sources said Thursday that Turkish army howitzers and multiple rocket launchers fired on the militants on Wednesday, destroying one defensive position belonging to the terrorists.

They said the attackers were preparing to strike Turkey with rockets and mortars.

In a similar joint operation on Monday, Turkey and the US killed at least 23 Daesh militants in northern Syria.

The Turkish military has repeatedly targeted northern Syria with artillery shells, guided missiles and mortars. There have also been reports of operations by Turkey's special forces inside the Syrian territory.

Turkey has also hinted at establishing a safe zone in the 98-kilometer (60-mile) stretch between Manbij in Aleppo Province and the Turkish border, prompting objections from Iran and Russia.

The US has supported the plan, describing it as part of a deepening campaign by the Turkish army to push Daesh away from a vital 60-mile stretch of the Turkey-Syria border that serves as the group’s main lifeline.

Turkey and the US, however, do not see eye to eye on Washington's support for Kurdish militants in northern Syria.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said last week that Turkey would not allow cooperation with terrorist organizations in Syria, referring to Kurdish groups which the US supports.

Turkey says the fighters are a terrorist organization affiliated with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), but the US sees them as a partner in Syria operations.

In a speech to his ruling AK Party in parliament last Tuesday, Yildirim said Turkey won't allow formation of new states in Syria, echoing suspicion that the Kurdish campaign was aimed at establishing a separate state.

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