Erdogan Denies Resumption of Military Operations, Calls Reports 'Disinformation'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that reports suggesting Turkish troops have resumed strikes on Kurdish positions in northern Syria within the framework of the 'Peace Spring' operation, despite a declared temporary ceasefire, are not true, according to the RIA Novosti agency.

'There is no shelling, all of that is disinformation. I don't know where you've got all this from,' Erdogan told reporters.

Earlier, media outlets citing Kurdish sources reported that Turkish forces resumed attacks on the city of Ras al-Ain in northeastern Syria on Friday, despite an agreement on a temporary ceasefire.

According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, Turkish artillery has struck several villages. The Al Arabiya television network also reported that fighters from Syrian armed groups allied with Ankara attacked a humanitarian convoy heading to Ras al-Ain.

It is noteworthy that an agreement to halt hostilities in Syria was reached following talks held on Thursday between U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and President Erdogan. According to the statement, Turkey will pause its military campaign in Syria for 120 hours to allow Kurdish forces to withdraw from the security zone being established along the Syrian border.

On October 9, Turkey announced the launch of the 'Peace Spring' operation in northern Syria, aimed at combating the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) and ISIS (Islamic State) terrorist groups. On the same day, Turkish aviation hit Ras al-Ain and several other towns near the border.