Syria live: Turkish troops cross into Syrian territory

All the latest from the front lines as Turkish forces move in on north-eastern Syria

AKCAKALE, TURKEY - OCTOBER 09: A Turkish armored vehicle prepare to cross the border into Syria on October 09, 2019 in Akcakale, Turkey. The military action is part of a campaign to extend Turkish control of more of northern Syria, a large swath of which is currently held by Syrian Kurds, whom Turkey regards as a threat. U.S. President Donald Trump granted tacit American approval to this campaign, withdrawing his country's troops from several Syrian outposts near the Turkish border. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)

A Turkish armoured vehicle prepare to cross the border into Syria on Wednesday. Getty Images

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The National
Oct 09, 2019
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Turkey has launched an operation against Kurdish groups in northern Syria, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced.

Explosions were heard in the border town of Ras Al Ain after days of Turkish military build-up.

The Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurdish-led group that led the fight against ISIS in Syria, said Turkish warplanes also struck its territory the north-east.

Arab states including the UAE and Saudi Arabia have condemned the incursion amid reports of civilian casualties.

International officials are calling on Turkey not to carry out the offensive, warning ISIS could use the chaos to stage a comeback.

Read more: Turkey's Syria offensive has begun, says President Erdogan

Here’s all the latest news as we get it:

TurkeyISISSyriaRecep Tayyip Erdogan
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