Five die as Turkish airstrikes hit pro-govt forces in Syria

Three Turkish air strikes hit a checkpoint held by pro-Syrian-government Shi’ite militiamen on the road to Afrin in north-western Syria on Wednesday, killing five fighters, said a pro-government commander.

The Shi’ite militias, which control the nearby villages of Nubl and Zahraa, recently assumed control of the position in agreement with the Kurdish YPG militia — the stated target of a Turkish offensive in the Afrin region, the commander said.­­­

Two Kurdish fighters were also wounded, news agency Reuters reported.