国际英语新闻:Turkey shells Kurdish controlled areas near Syria's Aleppo

DAMASCUS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish artillery shelled positions of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria's northern province of Aleppo on Saturday, the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) said.

The PYD confirmed in a statement that Turkey is firing artillery toward Kurds positions in Aleppo, including the Manegh airbase which the YPG has recently captured from Turkey-backed rebel groups, and the city of Afreen.

No causalities or losses have been reported so far.

The shelling came just hours after Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Saturday that Turkey, "if necessary," will take military actions against the Kurds in Syria.

In a televised speech, Davutloglu said "we would expect our friends and allies to stand by us."

The Kurds have been Ankara's worst nightmare, especially after they have made notable gains in northern Syria, something Turkey apparently cannot accept.

Turkish officials have repeatedly said that they will not allow the Kurds in Syria to expand more near the Turkish border.

The recent escalation also came as the talks about a ground intervention by Saudi and Turkey troops in Syria have made headlines in recent days.

Such an intervention will spark extra chaos in the already war-torn country, particularly after Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said any foreign troops entering Syria without the consent of the Syrian government "will be sent home in wooden coffins."