Syrian National Army Exchanges Fire with Syrian Democratic Forces in Syrian Border Town

Members of the Turkish-Backed Syrian National Army exchanged fire the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in Ras Al Ain, Wednesday, October 16, as seen in a video uploaded by the Syrian Baladi News Network. –––––––––

READ MORE: Turkish officials say President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo when they travel to Turkey to press for a halt to Ankara’s invasion of northeast Syria.

During his visit to Turkey, Pence will voice the U.S. commitment “to reach an immediate cease-fire and the conditions for a negotiated settlement,” according to a White House statement. Turkey launched its military operation last week to take out Syrian Kurdish forces branded by Ankara as terrorists, but viewed by much of the West as key partners in the fight against Islamic State.

It came days after the White House announced Turkey was moving forward with the operation and that U.S. troops would be withdrawn from the area. The decision to withdraw U.S. troops has been widely criticized by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.