Clashes between Turkey, Syrian Kurds intensify

The Syrian Kurdish militia on Monday said it repelled Turkish troops and their Syrian government allies from parts of the Kurdish-controlled Afrin region as the Turkish offensive entered its third day of intense clashes. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the U.S.-backed Kurdish militia ousted troops from two villages they briefly captured in Afrin. The Kurdish militia, known as the People’s Defense Units, or YPG, said the Turkish-backed forces opened a new front and pushed into two other villages in the district’s north. Turkey launched its attack on Saturday after threatening military action over U.S. plans to support the Kurdish-led force in securing the border between Turkey and Syria. Turkey considers the Kurdish militia a terror group affiliated with other Kurdish rebels who regularly stage attacks in Turkey. In a Sunday statement, the Turkish armed forces reported that 32 warplanes carried out airstrikes against YPG shelters, hideouts, and ammunition depots. The Syrian Observatory said the airstrikes killed at least six civilians. NATO, in a statement Monday, noted Turkey has suffered from terrorism and has the right to self-defense but encouraged it to do so in a “proportionate and measured way.” The United Nations Security Council will convene Monday to discuss the clashes.