A Turkish-backed operation has begun to rid Syria’s northern border of ISIL militants and the Kurdish PYD, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed. <br /><br /> Turkish tank units are said to have crossed into the neighbouring nation and intense bombardments are reported, with further aerial support provided by the US-led coalition.<br /><br /> The Free Syrian Army also entered the war-torn country near the town of Jarablus, hours after artillery rounds were fired from the Turkish side of the frontier, a military commander has told Reuters news agency.<br /><br /> Turkey has vowed to “completely cleanse” the militants from its border after a suicide bomber believed to be linked to ISIL killed 54 people at a Kurdish wedding in the south east.<br /><br /> However, the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party tweeted that Turkey was entering a “quagmire” in Syria and faces defeat.<br /><br /> It is the first time Ankara has used warplanes over Syria since November, when its forces downed a Russian jet near the border.<br /><br /> Erdogan says the country is seeking to “remove the shadow cast on the Islamic religion” by the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIL). <br /><br /> He said he was determined that Syria would retain its territorial integrity.<br />
