Turkey strikes IS and Kurds targets in Syria


Turkey has bombarded so-called Islamic State (IS) targets at Jarablus in northern Syria amid reports Syrian rebels are to launch an offensive against the group.

Some 1,500 Turkish-backed Syrian rebels are thought to be in the Turkish town of Gaziantep waiting to attack.

A bomb attack on a wedding there killed more than 50 people on Saturday.

Turkey also shelled positions at Manbij held by Kurdish YPG fighters, who have been advancing against IS.

The BBC's Mark Lowen in Gaziantep says the imminent offensive may have spurred the suicide bombing in Gaziantep, thought to be the work of IS. 

However, Turkey government is yet to establish the identity of the bomber, initially thought to be a child.

More victims of the blast are being identified and reports say the wave of bombings in Turkey could intensify as the country becomes ever more embroiled in the Syrian war.

SOURCE: BBC News