APD | Turkey reports casualty in its initial offensive to Syria

By APD writer Adtiya Nugraha

Turkey reported Friday that one soldier was killed and three injured in its initial combat against Kurdish militia following the pullout of the United States soldiers in Syria.

Turkish defense ministry said in a statement that clashes with Kurdish militia occurred in “Operation Region” in northern Syria on Thursday.

The ministry's statement came after shelling from the militia into Turkey and Turkish military strikes in northern Syria, with casualties on both sides.

The battles broke out in several locations along the roughly 120-kilometer (75-mile) wide front where operations are focused.

Turkey began an air and ground offensive supporting Syrian rebels against the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia on Wednesday.

Ankara has long opposed US support for the YPG in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, arguing the militias are terrorists.

At least 29 fighters and 10 civilians have been killed in the war-ravaged country since the start of Turkey assault, reports said.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)