Reported executions by Turkish forces in Syria may be 'war crimes': U.S. Defense Secretary

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The Pentagon is hearing reports of potential war crimes committed by Turkish-backed fighters in Syria, the head of the Defense Department said on Sunday (October 13).

The accounts include Turkish-backed fighters executing captured Syrian Kurds and Kurdish civilians.

"It appears to be, if true, that they would be war crimes," U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said to CBS News anchor Margaret Brennan.

Turkey’s offensive has raised alarm bells around the world amid concerns about its impact on civilians and the possibility of Islamic State militants escaping from Kurdish-led authorities.