Syria: Kurdish Militia Refuses To Leave Seized Areas, Turkey Continues Shelling

February 14, 2016 | 15:57 GMT

A Turkish assault on positions claimed by Kurdish fighters in northern Syria has continued into Feb. 14, officials said, BBC reported. Turkey began shelling the Kurdish militia, the People's Protection Units (YPG), on Feb. 13, claiming it is linked to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party. The YPG has rejected Turkey's demand to leave areas it has seized, saying jihadist groups would return if it left. Turkey's assault is a new thread in the Syrian conflict that has drawn in competing regional powers. World leaders agreed on Feb. 12 to work toward a cease-fire in Syria within a week, though the long-term prospects for its success are uncertain.