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Turkey Says Its Forces Captured 18 Syrian Soldiers in Syria

Associated Press

   ISTANBUL - Turkey's defense minister said Thursday its forces captured
   18 Syrian government soldiers in northeastern Syria, including two who
   are wounded.
   Hulusi Akar said the soldiers were captured during Turkish
   reconnaissance southeast of Ras al-Ayn, but didn't say when. Ankara was
   already in talks with Russia to hand over the Syrian soldiers, he
   added, according to the official ministry website on Thursday. Akar was
   speaking during a visit to Turkish troops at the border.
   A Syrian Kurdish official said the soldiers were captured Tuesday
   during an intense battle between Syrian government forces and
   Turkey-backed fighters. Kurdish fighters were fighting alongside the
   Syrian troops. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he
   was not authorized to brief reporters.
   The town of Ras al-Ayn has been a flashpoint in Turkey's invasion of
   northeastern Syria that has sought to drive back Kurdish fighters from
   its borders.

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