The British government has suspended new arms sales to Turkey amid an international outcry over its offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria.

Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, told parliament that no further export licences “for items that might be used in military operations in Syria” would be issued to Turkey until a review had taken place.

He further called on Turkey to “exercise maximum restraint and to bring an end to this unilateral military action”.

Britain now joins Italy, France, Germany and a number of other countries in halting weapons exports to Ankara in response to a widely criticised offensive that has killed dozens of civilians and displaced more than 275,000 people.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, launched his controversial cross-border offensive on Wednesday to create a buffer zone against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which Ankara regards as a terrorist group for its affiliation with outlawed Kurdish group the PKK.

Despite global condemnation of the military offensive, Turkey and its Syrian rebel allies have not backed down. On Tuesday, major developments on the ground continued as Russian and Syrian government forces moved to fill the void left by the departing US forces in the strategic town of Manbij. The exchange of control in the town was symbolic of Washington’s retreat from the Syria conflict.

Turkey launches offensive into Syria Show all 25 1 /25 Turkey launches offensive into Syria Turkey launches offensive into Syria Turkish soldiers with armored vehicles EPA Turkey launches offensive into Syria A woman flees with her children during Turkish bombardment on Syria's northeastern town of Ras al-Ain AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Smoke billows following Turkish bombardment on Syria's northeastern town of Ras al-Ain in the Hasakeh province along the Turkish border on October 9, 2019. - Turkey launched an assault on Kurdish forces in northern Syria with air strikes and explosions reported along the border. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the start of the attack on Twitter, labelling it "Operation Peace Spring". (Photo by Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP) (Photo by DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images) DELIL SOULEIMAN AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria The first group of Turkish infantry prepare to enter Syria on the border Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Civilians flee AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Smoke billows from targets inside Syria AP Turkey launches offensive into Syria Turkish armoured vehicles enter Syria in Akcakale Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Civilians leave as smoke rises from Ras al-Ain AFP Turkey launches offensive into Syria A multi-rocket launcher fires in an unknown location Turkish Defence Ministry via Reuters Turkey launches offensive into Syria People wave as Turkish soldiers prepare to cross the border Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Girls stand together in Ras al Ain town Reuters Turkey launches offensive into Syria A woman walks as smoke billows following Turkish bombardment in Syria's northeastern town of Ras al-Ain AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria A Turkish army's tank drives down from a truck towards the border with Syria AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Turkish jet taxis on tarmac after returning to a military base in southeast Diyarbakir Reuters Turkey launches offensive into Syria A Turkish armored vehicle drives down a road during a military operation in Kurdish areas of northern Syria EPA Turkey launches offensive into Syria People sit on belongings at a back of a truck as they flee Ras al Ain town Reuters Turkey launches offensive into Syria Turkey-backed Syrian opposition fighters enter Tel Abyad AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Civilians flee AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria People flee Tal Abyad North Press Agency/Reuters TV Turkey launches offensive into Syria People wave as Turkish soldiers prepare to cross the border into Syria Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Civilians flee with their belongings AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Civilians flee during Turkish bombardment on Syria's northeastern town of Ras al-Ain in the Hasakeh province along the Turkish border on October 9, 2019. - Turkey launched a broad assault on Kurdish-controlled areas in northeastern Syria today, with intensive bombardment paving the way for an invasion made possible by the withdrawal of US troops. (Photo by Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP) (Photo by DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images) DELIL SOULEIMAN AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, speaks with Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, left, as they watch the operation by Turkish forces in Kurdish areas EPA Turkey launches offensive into Syria Smoke rises from the Syrian town of Tal Abyad AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Turkey-backed members of Syrian National Army prepare for moving to Turkey with heavy armed vehicles EPA

“We are out of Manbij,” said Colonel Myles B Caggins, spokesman for the US-led coalition in Syria, adding that US troops “are executing a deliberate withdrawal from northeast Syria”.

Video footage shared online appeared to show Assad regime forces racing into the Kurdish-held areas and crossing paths with American vehicles leaving.

As Turkey continued to press its offensive around the town of Ras al-Ayn, some residents of northeast Syria said they felt the UK’s move against Ankara was too little too late.

“The mood on the street here is that people are not interested in actions that will have an impact on the situation in the future, like cancelling new arms sales. The damage is already done,” said Radwan, a local journalist in Kobani.

“People need action right now. We need the war to stop, we need the destruction, the displacement to end,” he added.

The decision comes a day after European Union member states pledged to suspend weapons exports, but stopped short of a formal embargo. Donald Trump, the US president, also announced sanctions against three senior Turkish officials on Monday, and halted negotiations on a $100bn (£80bn) trade deal.

Amnesty International called the UK’s suspension the “right decision”, but said it must apply to “all existing licences”.

“The UK has a responsibility to minimise the risk of UK weaponry contributing to violations of international humanitarian law,” said Allan Hogarth, Amnesty International UK’s head of policy and government affairs.

“Today’s move over Turkey is welcome, but it’s a reminder of how ramshackle and inconsistent the UK’s arms control system actually is.”

The United Nations warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis in northern Syria, saying on Tuesday that 160,000 people have been displaced in the week-long operation. The Kurdish-led authority argues that the true number is much higher, saying more than 275,000 people have fled their homes, including 70,000 children.

Meanwhile at least 60 civilians, including more than 20 children have been killed, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

International aid workers and journalists have fled after the Kurdish-led forces were forced to strike a deal with Syrian regime forces to repel the Turkish attack.

The Kurds are largely outgunned by Turkish-backed forces after they were left to fend for themselves when Mr Trump ordered all 1,000 US troops in Syria to leave the country.

The US had once partnered with the SDF to fight Isis.

Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general of Nato, raised concern about the effect Turkey’s invasion of northern Syria could have on the fight against Isis and stability in the region, following a meeting with the British prime minister on Tuesday.

“I am concerned about the consequences for ... the gains we have made in fighting our common enemy,” he said. “And it is extremely important that we preserve those gains.”

A Downing Street spokesperson said that Boris Johnson shared the Nato chief’s concern about the situation.

The spokesperson said: “Both leaders stressed the value of Turkey as a Nato ally and recognised the role they have played in supporting refugees from the Syrian conflict.