Fighting continues in Syrian town despite cease-fire deal

Fighting continued in northern Syria Friday morning despite a five-day cease-fire deal between the United States and Turkey announced the day before. 

{mosads}A spokesman for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, Mustafa Bali, said on Twitter that attacks had continued in the region, accusing Turkey of violating the cease-fire agreement.

“Despite the agreement to halt the fighting, air and artillery attacks continue to target the positions of fighters, civilian settlements and the hospital in Serêkaniyê/Ras al-Ayn. Turkey is violating the ceasefire agreement by continuing to attack the town since last night,” Bali said.

Despite the agreement to halt the fighting, air and artillery attacks continue to target the positions of fighters, civilian settlements and the hospital in Serêkaniyê/Ras al-Ayn. Turkey is violating the ceasefire agreement by continuing to attack the town since last night.

— Mustafa Bali (@mustefabali) October 18, 2019 

Shelling and machine-gun fire could be heard and smoke was seen rising early Friday in the city of Ras al-Ain at the Syrian border with Turkey, according to Reuters. 

The Associated Press reports the fighting died down by mid-morning.

Vice President Pence on Thursday announced the five-day cease-fire deal, weeks after President Trump said he would be pulling U.S. troops from the area, where they’ve been assisting Kurdish forces, ahead of a Turkish attack. Trump’s withdrawal has faced fierce criticism from both sides of the aisle. 

Fighting along other towns and cities on the border appeared calm, with no fighting heard from Ras al-Ain to Tal Abyad, according to AP. 

Trump touted the cease-fire deal on Thursday, earning a rebuke from Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) who said the cease-fire is “far from a victory.”