The forces went to provide support to Kurdish militias in the region — the same militias Turkey sees as terrorists.

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Turkish airstrikes in Syria's Afrin region killed at least 36 pro-government soldiers, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The government-loyal forces went to Afrin to support Kurdish forces — the same Kurdish forces the Turkish government has been targeting as terrorists.

Turkey believes the Kurdish militia to be affiliated with a Kurdish separatist movement in southeastern Turkey. But the Syrian militia denies any links to the separatists.

Since Turkey began its attack in January, thousands of civilians have fled their homes. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says over 140 civilians have been killed in the fighting, but Turkey says it only targets combatants.