Turkey launches airstrikes in northern Syria

The Turkish army on Saturday said that it had launched airstrikes in northern Syria, "neutralizing" 18 members of the "Islamic State" (IS) militant group within a 24-hour period.

At least four buildings and one vehicle used by the militant group had been destroyed in the strikes, the army's statement added.

It is unclear whether the airstrikes had been coordinated with Russia, Syria or the US-led coalition against IS.

The airstrikes mark Turkey's first aerial operation in Syria since October, when it claimed it killed up to 200 people in airstrikes.

Significant discrepancy

Independent war monitors put the number of casualties from the October airstrikes at 10, a significant discrepancy in comparison with the toll reported by Turkey.

In response to the attacks, the Syrian government threatened to down Turkish jets that entered its airspace.

Ankara has backed Syrian Arabs and Turkmen in northern Syria as allies in its fight against IS. In August, Turkish forces launched a land operation in Syria to dispel the militant group from areas near the country's border.

Earlier this month, Kurdish forces announced a new campaign to oust IS from its de facto capital in Raqqa, a move which Turkey warned could prompt sectarian clashes.

In Iraq, Baghdad blocked Turkey from joining its operation to liberate Mosul, announcing that only Iraqi forces would be allowed into the city's center.

ls/tj (Reuters, dpa)