Turning over to the escalating conflict in Syria,... forces loyal to President Assad have entered a Kurdish enclave, sparking resistance from Turkish forces besieging the region. <br />A Syrian offensive against a rebel-held region near Damascus has also left more than a hundred people dead.<br />Ro Aram reports. <br /> Troops loyal to the Syrian government were met with Turkish artillery fire on Tuesday as they tried to help the Kurdish YPG militia repel what they called Turkish aggression. <br />Turkish news channels showed armored vehicles plastered with Syrian flags entering Afrin, where Turkish troops entered about a month ago to oust the YPG, which it sees as terrorists. <br />The Turkish military said the shots were of a warning nature and forced the pro-regime troops to retreat. <br />The YPG thanked the pro-Syria troops for what it called the 'call of duty.' <br />Ankara had warned the pro-government forces of serious consequences if it entered Afrin to support the YPG. <br />The battle is raising prospects of direct conflict between Syria and Turkey in the civil war. <br /> Elsewhere, a Syrian government offensive, backed by Russian and Iranian allies, in eastern Ghouta has now claimed well over a hundred civilian lives.<br />The last major rebel-held stronghold has been bombarded with airstrikes and artillery fire since Sunday, in what is being described as the deadliest Syrian assault in years. <br />State media had reported that the government was retaliating to an attack by rebel forces on districts in Damascus, adding that there were few civilians living in eastern Ghouta.<br />Violence in the region has been on rise recently, threatening to bring down months of diplomatic efforts among Russia, Turkey and Iran to de-escalate the conflict. <br /> Residents claim the Syrian regime is targeting civilians and infrastructure to force them to give up their territory, as it has done in previous battles across the country.<br />Ro Aram, Arirang News. <br />
