(VOVworld) – The US Department of Defense called Monday for an end to clashes between Turkish forces and opposition groups in northern Syria and stressed that the current conflict and lack of coordination in action would give the Islamic State the chance to capture more territory.

Turkish troops return from the Syrian border, in Karkamis, Turkey, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016. (Photo: Ismail Coskun, IHA via AP)

The US Defense Department’s announcement was made when Turkey launched a ground operation in northern Syria as part of “Euphrates Shield”, which Ankara said was aimed at fighting the IS and repulsing Kurdish forces who control large areas along the Syria-Turkey border.
Militants of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) are backed by the US in the fight against the IS. Ankara said it killed 25 Kurdish fighters during air strikes on YPG militia positions on Sunday, a day after a Turkish soldier was killed in a rocket attack that Ankara said was conducted by YPG fighters.