Turkey says it killed up to 200 Kurdish militia in airstrike

ANKARA, Turkey, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- As many as 200 Kurdish militia were killed in an air raid by Turkish military in northern Syria, officials said.

The airstrikes hit 18 target with 26 strikes, destroying nine buildings used as headquarters, two vehicles, ammunition dumps and other shelters. Officials did not give the exact location but indicated the militia has been trying to take back Al-Bab, located north of Aleppo.

A statement early Thursday indicated the military also targeted 11 stationary targets and 11 moving targets belonging to the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, and its affiliate, the Kurdish Democratic Union Party, or PYD. Turkey considers both groups as terrorist organizations. The United States and European Union consider only the PKK as a terrorist organization.

There are conflicting reports about the number of dead. The Turkish military said up to 200 militia were killed, but the Syrian Democratic Forces militia coalition said about 15 died, including civilians.

The airstrike, part of what the Turkish military is calling Operation Euphrates Shield, was launched in August in an effort to rid the northern border of Syria of groups Turkey considers terrorists.

On Wednesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey will take an assertive role in the Syrian and Iraqi conflicts.

"We will not wait for troubles to come knocking on our door," he said. "We will see to it that the threats are destroyed, resolved at their source."