Turkish forces launch operation in Syria against IS

Turkish forces and US-led coalition warplanes on Wednesday launched an operation in the Jarablus region of north Syria, the media reported.

Turkish forces dispatched warplanes and artillery during the operation, aiming to clear the borders from the Islamic State militants, halt the new wave of refugees and deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in Jarablus -- the last significant town held by the IS near the border between Syria and Turkey, Xinhua news agency reported.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday that Turkey would provide all kinds of support for military operations in Jarablus.

Hours before the operation, the Turkish border town of Karkamis was attacked by a series of mortar shells fired from Syria, leading many locals to evacuate.

Earlier on Monday, Cavusoglu said the IS militants must be totally pushed from the Syrian border region, amid reports suggesting that Syrian rebels were preparing to launch an attack to seize Jarablus.

--IANS

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