In Pictures

In Pictures: Civilians flee Turkey-Syria border

International Committee of the Red Cross warns tens of thousands are at ‘great risk’.

Turkish Armed Forces'' howitzers deploy across Syrian town of Tell Abyad, within the Turkey''s Operation Peace Spring east of Euphrates River in northern Syria, against PKK/YPG, Daesh terrorists, on Oct — Turkish forces began ground operations in northeastern Syria, entering the country east of the Euphrates river, Turkey's defence ministry said [Mahmut Serdar Alakus/Anadolu/Getty Images]

Turkey says its forces have seized designated targets on the second day of an offensive against Kurdish fighters in Syria after a withdrawal by US forces opened up a dangerous new phase in the region’s eight-year-old conflict.

Turkish special forces advanced into northeastern Syria to the east of the Euphrates river, the country’s defence ministry said on Thursday.

Residents were fleeing Tal Abyad and some of them told dpa news agency that civilians who were still inside the city were prevented from leaving by Kurdish fighters.

The International Committee of the Red Cross warned that tens of thousands of people in the area targeted in Turkey’s offensive were at “great risk”.

The UN Security Council is set to meet on Thursday to discuss the situation in Syria.

Syrian Arab and Kurdish civilians arrive to Tall Tamr town, in the Syrian northwestern Hasakeh province, after fleeing Turkish bombardment on the northeastern towns along the Turkish border on October — Syrian Arab and Kurdish civilians arrive in the town of Tall Tamr, in the Syrian northwestern Hassakeh province, after fleeing Turkish bombardment on the northeastern border towns. [Delil Souleiman/AFP]

Syrian Arab and Kurdish civilians arrive to Hassakeh city after fleeing following Turkish bombardment on Syria''s northeastern towns along the Turkish border on October 10, 2019. - Syria''s Kurds battle — Syrian Arab and Kurdish civilians arrive in Hassakeh city after fleeing Turkish bombardment on Syria's northeastern towns. [Delil Souleiman/AFP]

Syrian Arab and Kurdish civilians flee amid Turkish bombardment on Syria''s northeastern town of Ras al-Ain in the Hasakeh province along the Turkish border on October 9, 2019. Turkey launched a broad — Syrian Arab and Kurdish civilians flee amid Turkish bombardment on Syria's northeastern town of Ras al-Ain in the Hasakah province along the Turkish border [Delil Souleiman/AFP]

Smoke rises from Tel Arkam village in Ras al Ain countryside, Syria October 10, 2019. REUTERS/Stringer — Smoke rises from Tel Arkam village in the Ras al-Ain countryside, Syria [Reuters]

Turkey-backed Syrian opposition fighters going to Tel Abyad from Turkish gate towards Syria in Akcakale in Sanliurfa province on October 10, 2019. Turkey has launched a broad assault on Kurdish-contro — Turkey-backed Syrian opposition fighters head for Tal Abyad, Syria, from Akcakale in Sanliurfa province on the Turkish border [Bulent Kilic/AFP]

People leave after a mortar sent from Syrian side hit their house in Akcakale in Sanliurfa province on October 9, 2019. Turkey has launched a broad assault on Kurdish-controlled areas in northeastern — Civilians leave after a mortar sent from Syria hit their house in Akcakale in Sanliurfa province on the Turkish border [Bulent Kilic/AFP]

A photo shows Turkish Armed Forces'' military vehicles moving, at Syrian border in Akcakale district of Turkey''s Sanliurfa, within the Turkey''s Operation Peace Spring east of Euphrates River in norther — Turkish forces shelled targets near Ras al-Ain on Thursday morning, and SDF fighters responded, a witness said [Esber Ayaydin/Anadolu]

A man waves a Turkish flag as Turkey-backed Syrian opposition fighters going to Tel Abyad from Turkish gate towards Syria in Akcakale in Sanliurfa province on October 10, 2019. Turkey has launched a b — A man waves as Turkey-backed Syrian opposition fighters head for Tal Abyad in Syria from from the Turkish town of Akcakale in Sanliurfa province [Bulent Kilic/AFP]

A Syrian woman carries her belongings over her head as she flees amid Turkish bombardment on Syria''s northeastern town of Ras al-Ain in the Hasakeh province along the Turkish border on October 9, 2019 — A Syrian woman flees with her belongings amid a Turkish bombardment of Syria's northeastern town of Ras al-Ain in Hasakah province [Delil Souleiman/AFP]

Turkish soldiers stand guard near the Turkey Syrian border on October 10, 2019 in Akcakale, Turkey. The military action is part of a campaign to extend Turkish control of more of northern Syria, a lar — Turkish soldiers stand guard near the Turkish-Syrian border in Akcakale [Burak Kara/Getty Images]

Syrians flee shelling by Turkish forces in Ras al Ayn, northeast Syria, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Wednesday the start of a Turkish military operation ag — Syrians flee shelling by Turkish forces in Ras al-Ain, northeastern Syria [AP Photo]