Explosion heard in northeast Syria near Turkish border: AFP

• An explosion was heard in a Syrian town near the Turkish border on Wednesday.
• A cloud of white smoke rose over the Ras Al-Ain border area.

RAS AL-AIN: An explosion was heard in a Syrian town near the Turkish border on Wednesday, an AFP correspondent said, moments after Ankara announced the start of an anticipated operation against Kurdish militants.

A cloud of white smoke rose over the Ras Al-Ain border area, the correspondent said, adding that warplanes could be seen flying overhead, while dozens of civilians tried to flee.