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Turkish-Backed Forces, Kurds Clash Despite Syria Cease-Fire

Associated Press

   AKCAKALE, TURKEY - Turkish-backed Syrian fighters clashed with
   Kurdish-led forces in several parts of northeastern Syria on Saturday,
   with some crossing the border from Turkey to attack a village, a war
   monitor said. Both sides blamed each other for fighting that has
   rattled the U.S.-brokered cease-fire.

   Nearly two days into the five-day halt in fighting, the two sides were
   still trading fire around the key border town of Ras al-Ayn. There has
   also been no sign of a withdrawal of Kurdish-led forces from positions
   along the Syrian-Turkish border as called for under the agreement,
   reached between Turkey and the United States.

   Turkey's Defense Ministry said it was "completely abiding" by the
   accord and that it was in "instantaneous coordination" with Washington
   to ensure the continuity of calm. The ministry accused Kurdish-led
   fighters of carrying out 14 "attacks and harassments" the past 36
   hours, most in the town of Ras al-Ayn, which is besieged by allied
   fighters before the cease-fire. It said the Syrian Kurdish fighters
   used mortars, rockets, anti-aircraft and anti-tank heavy machine guns.

   Turkey also said Saturday said it has recaptured 41 suspected Islamic
   State members who had fled a detention camp amid the chaos caused by
   the fighting earlier this week.
   

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