Turkey Syria offensive: US builds pressure to halt incursion against Kurds

Pressure is building in the US to stop Turkey continuing its offensive against Kurdish-held areas in Syria. Defence Secretary Mark Esper warned of “serious consequences” while Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin held out the prospect of fresh sanctions.

President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops effectively triggered the Turkish incursion.

He has said he would like the US to negotiate a truce between Nato ally Turkey and the Kurds.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, however, says the military operation will continue.

According to the UN more than 100,000 people have fled their homes since the offensive began on Wednesday.