Turkey shells ISIL targets in Syria after rockets hit Kilis

Turkey shells ISIL targets in Syria after rockets hit Kilis



ANKARA: -- Turkey says it has retaliated against the so-called Islamic State after three days of rockets fired from across the border in Syria caused panic and strife in the Turkish town of Kilis.

Two people were reported killed, and around 20 injured.

The town is home to some 110,000 Syrian refugees and is frequently hit by shelling from across the border, a region controlled by ISIL.

The Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu says the military have struck back at ISIL targets in Syria. “We are conducting a decisive battle to protect our citizens from this circle of fire,” he added.

Northern Syria has seen fierce battles recently as ISIL – despite retaking the town of al-Rai from rebels – is pushed back by rebels, Kurdish fighters and Syrian government forces.

Kilis residents watched as the Turkish military carried out their retaliatory missions across the border.

Turkey is also a strong critic of President al-Assad’s government, having supported opposition fighters in Syria’s civil war.

Facing threats on multiple fronts, it is battling Kurdish militants in its southeast since the collapse of a ceasefire last year which has brought the worst violence since the 1990s.