News / Syria / News

35 civilians killed in Turkey raids in Syria: Report

Sunday, 28 August 2016 7:41 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 28 August 2016 10:03 AM ]

This picture taken from the Turkish Syrian border city of Karkamis in the southern region of Gaziantep, on August 24, 2016 shows smoke billows following air strikes by a Turkish jet fighter on the Syrian Turkish border village of Jarablus. ©AFP

At least 35 civilians have reportedly been killed and 75 others wounded in fresh Turkish artillery fire and airstrikes on northern Syria.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 20 civilians lost their lives and 50 more sustained injuries on Sunday after the Turkish attacks on the Jubb al-Kusa, a village south of the town of Jarablus in Syria’s Aleppo province.

Additionally, four local militants were killed in the Turkish bombardment, the UK-based observatory added.

It further reported that another 15 civilians were dead and 25 others wounded, many seriously, in Turkish air raids near the town of Amarneh, south of Jarablus.

Amarneh witnessed clashes between Turkish-backed Syria militants and pro-Kurdish troops on Saturday.

The development comes as Turkey presses ahead with its incursion into Syrian territory, dubbed “Euphrates Shield.”

On August 24, Turkish special forces, tanks and jets backed by planes from the US-led coalition launched their first coordinated offensive in Syria. The Damascus government condemned the intervention as a breach of its sovereignty.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the operation is aimed at “terror groups” such as Daesh and the Democratic Union Party (PYD) - a US-backed Kurdish group based in Syria.

Hours after the beginning of the operation, Turkish-backed militants seized Jarablus, with Erdogan saying that they had taken over “government and official residences” and forced Daesh out of the town.

Syria has been the scene of a foreign-backed crisis since March 2011.

Turkey is said to be among the main supporters of the militant groups active in Syria, with reports saying that Ankara actively trains and arms the Takfiri elements there and facilitates their safe passage into the violence-wracked state.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk