AT least 14 people have been killed in a devastating Turkish air raid on a civilian convoy in Syria yesterday, according to reports.

Five civilians, including a journalist, died after they were attacked as they arrived at the Syrian border town of Ras al-Ain, that Turkish-allied forces have seized.

12 Shocking footage too gruesome to publish allegedly shows the convoy attack

12 Smoke rises from the Syrian border town of Ras-al-Ain as fighting rages along the border Credit: AFP or licensors

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (Sohr) said the death toll from the strike was 14.

A Kurdish news agency Hawar said one of its reporters was killed in the attack which reportedly left dozens more injured.

Several foreign journalists were with the convoy - which was also carrying aid workers - when it was struck, according to France 2 television's Stéphanie Perez.

She tweeted: "We were in the convoy of Kurdish civilians targeted by Turkish forces and their allies at Ras al Ain. Our team is fine, but some colleagues are dead."

Armed men, who were reportedly guarding the convoy, were among those killed in the bombing.

'ATTACK ON CIVILIANS'

Images purporting to show the attack show a blast shatter an otherwise quiet street.

Bodies are seen strewn across the road in disturbing unverified footage too gruesome to show.

Hevrin Khalaf, the Future Syria Party’s secretary-general, and her driver were ambushed and shot dead on Saturday, Sohr said.

The Turkish attack began when US forces backing the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) withdrew from part of the Syrian-Turkish border last week.

The SDF, a major ally of the US against ISIS, called it a "stab in the back".

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It comes a day after pro-Turkey forces forces killed nine civilians, including a female politician.

On Sunday Mark Esper, the US defence secretary, said around 1,000 US troops stationed in northern Syria would be pulled out after learning that Turkey planned to extend its incursion further south and west than originally planned.

The aim is to force out Kurdish forces, which Turkey views as terrorists.

It wants to drive them back from a "safe zone" reaching 30km into Syria.

Mr Esper said they may be seeking help from Syria and Russia and the US would not be defending them.

The Assad regime has now announced it is sending troops north to face Turkish forces after agreeing a deal with the Kurds.

'STAB IN THE BACK'

More than 130,000 people have fled homes near the conflict, the UN said, warning the figure could soon triple.

Mr Esper said the Kurds have been good partners "but at the same time, we didn't sign up to fight the Turks on their behalf."

He disputed the notion that the US could have stopped Turkey from invading in the first place.

He said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had made clear he was going to launch his incursion "regardless of what we did."

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Around 950 ISIS supporters escaped a holding camp amid clashes between invading Turkish-led forces and Kurdish fighters.

It is feared an ISIS resurgence now seems more likely - just months after Trump declared the extremists defeated.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab have urged Mr Erdogan to halt the incursion, saying it could undermine the fight against ISIS and worsen the humanitarian crisis in the war-ravaged region.

The assault against the Syrian Kurds has been widely condemned by Western powers.

12 A Turkish-backed Syrian fighter fires during clashes in the border town of Ras al-Ain Credit: AFP or licensors

12 The fast-deteriorating situation was set in motion last week, when Trump ordered US troops in northern Syria to step aside, clearing the way for an attack by Turkey Credit: Getty - Contributor

12 Armed rebel soldiers are seen on the street of Tal Abyad, Syria Credit: Reuters

12 A Syrian rebel tank carrying soldiers leaves their base near Tal Abyad Credit: Reuters

12 A photo taken from Turkey's Sanliurfa shows a flag of Syrian National Army being waved near the customs gate, located at the Turkish border of the Tal Abyab town Credit: Getty - Contributor

12 A Turkey-backed Syrian fighter fires a weapon mounted on a truck in Tal Abyab Credit: Reuters

12 Turkey-backed Syrian rebel fighters are seen on a military vehicle in Tal Abyab Credit: Reuters

12 A Turkish-backed Syrian fighter fires a heavy machine gun in the border Syrian town of Tal Abyad Credit: AFP or licensors