TASS, October 18. The Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has accused the Turkish Armed Forces of carrying out attacks on civilians in the town of Ras al-Ayn in northeastern Syria, Reuters reported on Friday citing the SDF.

"Despite the agreement to halt the fighting, [Turkish] air and artillery attacks continue to target the positions of fighters [and] civilian settlements [in Ras al-Ayn]," the agency cited the Kurdish statement.

In turn, Agence France-Presse reported five civilians dead in Turkish strikes on a village near the town.

Turkish authorities have yet to comment on the reports.

On October 9, Ankara launched a new military operation in northern Syria dubbed Peace Spring, which began with airstrikes on positions of Kurdish units. The objective is to create a buffer zone in northern Syria where Syrian refugees could return, Ankara claims. The buffer zone will also establish a security belt along the Turkish border. The Syrian SANA news agency branded the operation as aggression, while the international community condemned Ankara’s actions.

On Thursday, the United States and Turkey reached an agreement to temporarily halt the Peace Spring operation. Turkey consented to a 120-hour ceasefire so that Kurdish units making up the coalition of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) could leave the areas of the border security zone that Ankara is attempting to create. Turkey designates a terrorist status to many Kurdish organizations. If Kurds leave the area, the Turkish Armed Forces' operation will be ceased pursuant to the agreement reached by Ankara and Washington.