Turkey has boosted its forces on the Syrian border ahead of a long-threatened incursion that could target Kurdish-led forces allied to the US.
Troops would cross into Syria "shortly", a presidential aide said.
Turkey wants to create a "safe zone" cleared of a Kurdish militia that will also house some of Turkey's 3.6 million Syrian refugees.
President Donald Trump has withdrawn US troops in the area in a controversial move condemned at home and abroad.
He again defended his move on Tuesday, saying the Kurds had not been abandoned, calling them "special".
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Convoys of trucks with armoured personnel carriers and tanks were seen heading to the Turkish border town of Akcakale on Tuesday night. Images of buses carrying personnel were shown by state news agency Anadolu.
Turkey is planning to create a 32km (20-mile) deep "safe zone" running for 480km along the Syrian side of the border.
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The Kurdish-led administration in the region announced "three days of general mobilisation in northern and eastern Syria", calling on civilians to "head to the border with Turkey to fulfil their duty".
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Washington was sending mixed signals and Kurds feared the confusion could "ignite the whole region".
Russia's security council said it was "important for everyone to avoid any action that could create obstacles to a peaceful settlement in Syria".
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In a series of tweets, Mr Trump also praised Turkey as a trade partner and Nato ally, hours after saying he would "destroy and obliterate" its economy if the country went "off limits" in its incursion.
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Originally Posted by jetfire
