Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency later reported that Turkish troops had fired "warning shots" at "pro-regime terrorist groups trying to advance" towards Afrin, forcing them to retreat about 10km (6 miles).
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the convoy was made up of Shia militiamen acting independently, adding that he had earlier persuaded the Syrian government's main allies, Russia and Iran, to stop any troops being deployed.
"Unfortunately, these kinds of terror organisations take wrong steps with the decisions they take. It is not possible for us to allow this. They will pay a heavy price," the Reuters news agency quoted him as telling an news conference.
Syria war: Pro-government forces enter Kurdish-held Afrin
Here’s what the Times said today:
Those forces were trying to join Kurdish militias defending Afrin from Turkish troops who [had] crossed the border and were advancing from the north. They retreated after Turkish jets and artillery bombarded them,the Turkish government said.
So that and what the Turkish government said about them being “Shia militiamen acting independently” partly clears it up, but it is still so muddled over there, it seems, that the different sides can’t keep themselves straight. If they really were acting independently, OK, but we know Iran is hiring Shia mercenaries, and Iran is supposed to be on the same side as Turkey and against the regime and Kurds. And why were pro-government forces going to help the Kurds? Isn’t the Syrian government on the same side as Iran and Turkey?
Guys, we have enough trouble following this whole thing. Please check the color of your T-shirt and be sure which side you’re on at every moment.