• People wave as Turkish soldiers prepare to cross the border into Syria on October 09, 2019 in Akcakale, Turkey. Getty Images
    People wave as Turkish soldiers prepare to cross the border into Syria on October 09, 2019 in Akcakale, Turkey. Getty Images
  • Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, with military and Intelligence chiefs, ministers and his ruling party members in an operations room at the presidential palace, in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday, October 9, 2019. Turkish Presidency Press Service via AP
    Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, with military and Intelligence chiefs, ministers and his ruling party members in an operations room at the presidential palace, in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday, October 9, 2019. Turkish Presidency Press Service via AP
  • Vehicles are seen as people flee Ras Al Ain town, Syria October 9, 2019. Reuters
    Vehicles are seen as people flee Ras Al Ain town, Syria October 9, 2019. Reuters
  • 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. AFP
    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. AFP
  • Civilians ride a pickup truck as smoke billows following Turkish bombardment on Syria's northeastern town of Ras Al Ain. AFP
    Civilians ride a pickup truck as smoke billows following Turkish bombardment on Syria's northeastern town of Ras Al Ain. AFP
  • A woman with a baby sits at a back of a truck as they flee Ras Al Ain town, Syria. Reuters
    A woman with a baby sits at a back of a truck as they flee Ras Al Ain town, Syria. Reuters
  • Syrians flee shelling by Turkish forces in Ras Al Ain, northeast Syria. AP Photo
    Syrians flee shelling by Turkish forces in Ras Al Ain, northeast Syria. AP Photo
  • The first group of Turkish infantry prepare to enter Syria on the border between Turkey and Syria on October 9 in Akcakale, Turkey. Getty Images
    The first group of Turkish infantry prepare to enter Syria on the border between Turkey and Syria on October 9 in Akcakale, Turkey. Getty Images
  • Smoke rises from the Syrian town of Tal Abyad after Turkish bombings, in a picture taken from the Turkish side of the border near Akcakale in the Sanliurfa province. AFP
    Smoke rises from the Syrian town of Tal Abyad after Turkish bombings, in a picture taken from the Turkish side of the border near Akcakale in the Sanliurfa province. AFP
  • Kurds living in Athens hold flags and banners reading 'Against the Turkish occupation' as they protest near the Turkish embassy in Athens. AFP
    Kurds living in Athens hold flags and banners reading 'Against the Turkish occupation' as they protest near the Turkish embassy in Athens. AFP
  • Civilians carry their belongings over their head as they flee amid Turkish bombardment on Syria's northeastern town of Ras Al Ain. AFP
    Civilians carry their belongings over their head as they flee amid Turkish bombardment on Syria's northeastern town of Ras Al Ain. AFP

Turkish offensive against the Kurds in Syria: live updates

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

The National

October 10, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the start of "Operation Peace Spring" on Wednesday, and soon after explosions were heard in the Syrian border town of Ras Al Ain.

Turkey aims to create a “safe zone” that would be cleared of Kurdish fighters, who Ankara considers to be terrorists and an extension of Kurdish rebels fighting inside Turkey, and eventually allow for the return of refugees.

• Who has influence in Syria's north-east?

• How the world is reacting to Turkey's assault in Syria

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