In the wake of the launch of the offensive against Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria, the Turkish Ministry of Defense welcomes on Twitter the progress of Turkish forces on the ground. "Our heroic commandos who participate in Operation Spring of Peace continue to advance east of the Euphrates," he said on the social network, Thursday, October 10, with a video supporting soldiers advancing hand-armed in the darkness.

In the morning, Turkish forces bombed the outskirts of Ras al-Ain and rebels of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-dominated movement of People's Protection Units (YPG), fired back, a witness said. Ankara regards the YPG as a terrorist organization because of its links with the Turkish separatists of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

181 Kurdish targets affected

According to the Turkish Ministry of Defense, 181 targets of the Kurdish militia have been affected by aviation and artillery since the beginning of the offensive on Wednesday. Turkish troops crossed the Syrian border in four points, according to the press. Two are around Tell Abyad and two are near Ras al-Ain, further east.

For their part, the FDS claim that a prison in Kamichli, where many members of the Islamic State organization of about 60 nationalities are held, has been affected. "These prison attacks harboring Daesh terrorists will lead to a disaster that the world may not be able to cope with in the future," they write in a statement.

>> See also: The offensive too much?

Turkish offensive pushed back to Tell Abyad, according to MSDS

Two high-ranking jihadists have been placed under the custody of the US military, a member of the US administration said. They belonged to the group of British nicknamed "The Beatles", who are believed to have executed several Westerners, said another US official.

A spokesman for the FDS insists on Twitter that the offensive was pushed back to Tell Abyad. According to the movement, five civilians and three fighters were killed. Several thousand people also fled Ras al-Ain to the province of Hassaké, held by the rebel movement.

"Measured operation"

The UN Security Council must meet during the day at the request of its European members (Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium and Poland). In a letter to the Council, Turkey assures that its operation will be "proportionate, measured and accountable".

Donald Trump said Wednesday does not condone the offensive, which Washington considers a "bad idea" and threatened to "ruin the Turkish economy if Turkey destroys the Kurds".

An extraordinary meeting of the Arab League, which condemned the offensive, is also scheduled for Saturday. France has demanded the end of Turkish operations, which threaten the security of Europeans.

With Reuters