OREANDA-NEWS. The first clashes between units of the Syrian and Turkish forces were noted in northeast Syria. This statement was made on Tuesday by the Syrian television channel with reference to unnamed Syrian sources. "The first direct clashes between the Syrian army and Turkish forces were recorded in northeast Syria", the channel said.

On October 9, Ankara announced that it would carry out Operation Source of Peace in northern Syria with the goal of creating a buffer zone there. It should become a protective belt for the Turkish border. According to Ankara’s plan, Syrian refugees will be able to return to Turkey from this region. Damascus called the operation aggression, the international community condemned the actions of Ankara.

On October 13, a news agency reported that Damascus, by agreement with the Kurds, sent troops to northern Syria to counter the Turkish army. Over the next few days, the Syrian army occupied a number of cities and towns located in Kurdish areas without a fight. Among them are Tabka, Manbij, Rakka and Kobani. On October 17, units of the Syrian army reached the border with Turkey.