Syria live: Turkish troops cross into Syrian territory

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

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:

Updated: October 09, 2019, 8:25 PM