You're reading: Associated Press: Turkey launches offensive against Kurdish fighters in Syria

Associated Press: Turkey launches offensive against Kurdish fighters in Syria

Published Oct. 9, 2019 at 9:21 pm

Civilians flee with their belongings amid Turkish bombardment on Syria's northeastern town of Ras al-Ain in the Hasakeh province along the Turkish border on October 9, 2019. - Turkey launched a broad assault on Kurdish-controlled areas in northeastern Syria today, with intensive bombardment paving the way for an invasion made possible by the withdrawal of US troops.

Photo by AFP

Turkey launched airstrikes and fired artillery aimed at crushing Kurdish fighters in northern Syria on Oct. 9 after U.S. troops pulled back from the area, paving the way for an assault on forces that have long been allied with the United States.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the start of the campaign, which followed an abrupt decision Sunday by U.S. President Donald Trump that American troops would step aside to allow for the operation.