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Syria conflict: Turkey presses on with assault on Kurds Syria conflict: France urges end to Turkish assault on Kurds
(about 1 hour later)
A Turkish assault on positions claimed by Kurdish fighters in northern Syria has continued into a second day. France's foreign ministry has urged Turkey to end its assault on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria.
In a statement (in French) it said it was "worried about the continued worsening of the situation".
On Saturday, Turkey began shelling the militia, which it says is linked to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).On Saturday, Turkey began shelling the militia, which it says is linked to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
The YPG militia, which is based in Syria, has rejected a demand by Turkey to leave areas it has seized, saying Islamists would return if it left. The fighters - the YPG militia based in Syria - have rejected Turkey's demand to leave areas it has seized, saying Islamists would return if it left.
Turkey's assault is a new thread in an already-complex conflict that has drawn in competing regional powers.Turkey's assault is a new thread in an already-complex conflict that has drawn in competing regional powers.
France has called on Turkey to end its attacks, and a statement on Syria's state news agency condemned what it called an "outrageous violation of international law". A statement on Syria's state news agency also condemned Turkey's intervention, calling it "outrageous violation of international law".
On Thursday, world leaders agreed to work towards a so-called cessation of hostilities in Syria within a week. France also called on the regime and its allies to stop their bombardments "across the whole of the country".
The US and Russian presidents agreed in a "frank and business-like" phone call to work more closely to achieve this, the Kremlin said on Sunday. France said priority should be given to implementing an agreement reached in Munich this week, and the fight against so-called Islamic State (IS) group.
Almost five years of civil war in Syria have led to the deaths of more than 250,000 people. About 13.5 million people have been displaced.
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Displaced Syrians struggle to surviveDisplaced Syrians struggle to survive
Syria: The story of the conflictSyria: The story of the conflict
Turkey v Islamic State v the Kurds: What's going on?
Attempts to broker a peace deal have repeatedly failed, but on Thursday, world leaders agreed to work towards a so-called cessation of hostilities in Syria within a week.
The US and Russian presidents agreed in a "frank and business-like" phone call to work more closely to achieve this, the Kremlin said on Sunday.
Russia, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has been carrying out airstrikes since September against what it terms "terrorists".
Among the targets shelled by Turkey is the Menagh airbase, which was seized by the YPG on Thursday from Syrian Islamist rebels. The YPG controls much of Syria's northern border with Turkey.Among the targets shelled by Turkey is the Menagh airbase, which was seized by the YPG on Thursday from Syrian Islamist rebels. The YPG controls much of Syria's northern border with Turkey.
Speaking on Turkish TV on Saturday, PM Ahmet Davutoglu warned that Turkey would retaliate if the YPG did not leave the airbase, which lies south of the town of Azaz and near the Turkish border.Speaking on Turkish TV on Saturday, PM Ahmet Davutoglu warned that Turkey would retaliate if the YPG did not leave the airbase, which lies south of the town of Azaz and near the Turkish border.
On Sunday, Saleh Muslim, the co-chair of the YPG, told Reuters that jihadists would soon return to the area if Kurdish fighters were driven out. Analysis: Mark Lowen, BBC News, Istanbul
Turkey v Islamic State v the Kurds: What's going on?
Analysis - Mark Lowen, BBC News, Istanbul
Syria's war hardly needs a new front, but another has now opened up.Syria's war hardly needs a new front, but another has now opened up.
Ankara sees the Kurdish PYD party and its YPG militia as terrorist organisations. It's worried that weapons are seeping over the border from Syria to the PKK, with which Turkey has renewed its armed conflict since a ceasefire broke down last year.Ankara sees the Kurdish PYD party and its YPG militia as terrorist organisations. It's worried that weapons are seeping over the border from Syria to the PKK, with which Turkey has renewed its armed conflict since a ceasefire broke down last year.
Washington rejects Ankara's view that the PYD is a terrorist organisation, seeing it instead as an effective ally against so-called Islamic State (IS). That has caused rifts between the two Nato allies and is hampering international peace talks.Washington rejects Ankara's view that the PYD is a terrorist organisation, seeing it instead as an effective ally against so-called Islamic State (IS). That has caused rifts between the two Nato allies and is hampering international peace talks.
Syria is the stage for several proxy wars - and Turkey has just started another, going after its Kurdish nemesis there and vowing to stop the PYD from cementing control of northern Syria. Syria is the stage for several proxy wars, and Turkey has just started another, going after its Kurdish nemesis there and vowing to stop the PYD from cementing control of northern Syria.
Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency said Turkish forces shot at Kurdish fighters inside Syria on Sunday after coming under fire themselves.Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency said Turkish forces shot at Kurdish fighters inside Syria on Sunday after coming under fire themselves.
Ankara sees the group as being linked with Kurdish guerrillas from PKK, which has waged a campaign against security forces in Turkey for decades.Ankara sees the group as being linked with Kurdish guerrillas from PKK, which has waged a campaign against security forces in Turkey for decades.
In other developments:In other developments:
World powers have agreed a tentative deal to try to bring about a cessation of hostilities and allow more access for humanitarian aid. Under the agreed cessation of hostilities plan, efforts will be made to try to make urgent aid deliveries to besieged and hard-to-reach areas in Syria.
Under the plan, efforts will be made to try to make urgent aid deliveries to besieged and hard-to-reach areas in Syria. Steps will also be taken to work towards an eventual ceasefire and implementation of a UN-backed plan for political transition in Syria. Steps will also be taken to work towards an eventual ceasefire and implementation of a UN-backed plan for political transition in Syria.
The halt would not apply to the battle against the jihadists of IS and al-Nusra Front.The halt would not apply to the battle against the jihadists of IS and al-Nusra Front.
However, neither the Syrian government nor the rebels were involved in the deal and both have since vowed to continue fighting.However, neither the Syrian government nor the rebels were involved in the deal and both have since vowed to continue fighting.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Friday that he intended to retake "the whole country" from rebels - a statement the US government said was "deluded".Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Friday that he intended to retake "the whole country" from rebels - a statement the US government said was "deluded".
Syrian government forces, backed by Russian air strikes, have almost encircled rebels in parts of the northern city of Aleppo.Syrian government forces, backed by Russian air strikes, have almost encircled rebels in parts of the northern city of Aleppo.