Duhok, Iraq: Amnesty has identified potential war crimes in Turkey's invasion of northern Syria that include summary killings, bombings of a civilian convoy and a school where internally displaced people were seeking shelter, as well as the murder of Kurdish politician Hevrin Khalaf.

The damning report from Amnesty International secretary-general, Kumi Naidoo, said Turkey had shown an "utterly callous disregard for civilian lives" and had a responsibility to stop war crimes committed by forces under its control.

"Unless Turkey reins in its proxy forces and ends impunity for violations, it will encourage further atrocities,” Mr Naidoo said.

Smoke billows from fires in Ras al-Ayn, Syria, caused by bombardment from Turkish forces before a ceasefire deal was struck. Credit:AP

The report came as US President Donald Trump praised himself for showing "a little tough love" in the region that led to a ceasefire deal announced on Thursday night.