Turkey says over 300 dead, thousands displaced in its attack on US-allied Kurds in Syria

Turkey says 342 militants have been killed in its offensive against the Syrian Democratic Forces, led by Kurdish YPG militia

The US has warned Turkey of ‘consequences’ over the assault on its allies

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Kurdish families flee their hometowns Ras al-Ein due to the Turkish offensive in northern Syria. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 12:06pm, 11 Oct 2019Updated: 10:46pm, 11 Oct 2019

Turkish forces pushed deeper into northeastern Syria on Friday, the third day of Ankara’s cross-border offensive against Syrian Kurdish fighters that has set off another mass displacement of civilians and met with widespread criticism from the international community.

There were casualties on both sides and Turkey reported its first military fatality, saying a soldier was “martyred” in the fighting.

Earlier, at least six civilians were killed in Turkey and seven civilians have been killed in Syria since Ankara this week launched the air and ground operation into Syria’s northeast. The invasion came after President Donald Trump opened the way by pulling American troops from their positions near the border and abandoning US-allied Syrian Kurdish fighters.

Trump’s unexpected decision came as he faces an impeachment inquiry at home. It drew swift criticism from Republicans and Democrats in Congress, along with many national defence experts who say it’s endangered not only the Syrian Kurds and regional stability but US credibility as well.

The Syrian Kurdish militia was the only US ally in the campaign that brought down Islamic State group in Syria.