Turkish tanks crossed the border from Kilis province on Saturday, according to media reports. Eyewitnesses report explosions and plumes of smoke.
ADVERTISEMENTAnkara has opened a new front against ISIL in northern Syria, according to media reports.
The Dogan news agency says Turkish tanks crossed the border from Kilis province on Saturday.
It is Turkey’s second incursion into the north of the conflict-torn country, the agency says.
Turkish Army tanks enter Syrian town of Cobanbey in NW Aleppo province as part of Operation Euphrates Shield pic.twitter.com/KImyCQQxvk
— ANADOLU AGENCY (ENG) (@anadoluagency) September 3, 2016
Turkish tanks cross into Syria in second incursion: Dogan agency https://t.co/LRmuvhmuNepic.twitter.com/WnMA9w3sYK
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) September 3, 2016
What happened?
The tanks crossed the frontier near the Turkish village of Cobanbey.
Eyewitnesses report the sound of explosions and plumes of smoke rising in the air.
Cobanbey is near Syria’s al Rai, which has changed hands between ISIL and rebel control in recent months.
The region is around 55 kilometres southwest of Jarablus.
Last week, Turkish-backed Syrian forces launched Operation Euphrates Shield, Turkey’s first major incursion into Syria since the war started five years ago.
International reaction
The US has voiced concerns about Turkish strikes on Kurdish-aligned groups that Washington is backing in its battle against ISIL.
Germany has said it does not want to see a lasting Turkish presence in an already tangled conflict.
What has Turkey said?
Turkey says it wants to protect its frontier from the militant group and the Kurdish YPG militia.
Ankara sees the group as an extension of the outlawed Kurdish PKK group fighting an insurgency on Turkish soil.
Turkey says it has no plans to stay in Syria.