Fears Turkey has launched airstrikes in Syria after ‘explosions seen’ as Trump insists Britain is 'thrilled' with invasion plans

THERE are mounting fears Turkey has already carried out airstrikes in Syria – hours after Donald Trump gave the green light for an invasion.

Unconfirmed videos reportedly showing explosions at Kurdish military bases emerged as the mighty  Turkish army massed troops on the border.

The Turkish Defence Ministry confirmed its armies are now ready to invade to "protect peace and stability" in the region.

The US president's decision stunned world leaders and sparked fears it could lead to widespread ethnic cleansing in Northern Syria.

However, he defended the withdrawal of US troops adding "the Kurds will now have to figure the situation out."

Trump then added most think he has made the right call despite effectively leaving Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – US allies in fighting ISIS – to fend for themselves.

Speaking at the White House he said: “People are extremely thrilled because they say it’s time to bring our people back home. We’re not a police force.

"The UK was very thrilled at this decision … many people agree with it very strongly,” he then added.

BNL Breaking News earlier tweeted: "Reports of Turkish airstrikes on the Kurdish-controlled Semelka border crossing between Syria and Iraq, comes just hours after US withdraws troops from Syria and 'allowed Turkish invasion'."

And Russian state media outlet Sputnik tweeted that Turkish Air Forces struck a Kurdish base in Hasakah, Syria.

However, there were also some reports that both the Kurdish and Turkish media were denying there had been any strikes.

On Monday Trump warned he would "obliterate" Turkey's economy if it took action in Syria he considered "off limits".

However, the US withdrawal will leave the SDF extremely vulnerable to an incursion by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), which sees them as nothing more than terrorists.

"The TSK will never tolerate the establishment of a terror corridor on our borders. All preparations for the operation have been completed," it said on Twitter this morning.

"It is essential to establish a safe zone/peace corridor to contribute to our region's peace and stability, and for Syrians to achieve a safe life."

Trump's warning on Turkey's economy appeared aimed at fending off critics who have accused him of abandoning the Kurds – who have been fighting ISIS on the ground in Syria.

The decision drew criticism from Democrats and a rebuke from some of Trump's fellow Republicans in Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The move to allow Turkey to invade came after he was "out negotiated" by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reports Newsweek.

A US security official, said to have direct knowledge of the conversation, claims the US president "got rolled" by his Turkish counterpart.

Calling Trump "spineless" he reportedly said his actions have left the US in "a state of increased danger for decades to come" by handing control of the battle-scarred region to Turkey.

The SDF has warned that diverting its forces to fight off Erdogan's troops could lead to a resurgence of ISIS in the region.

As many as 15,000 jihadis currently being held by SDF forces in northern Syria, including at the notorious Al-Hol camp, could be set free in prison breaks carried out by sleeper cells, commanders warned.

While Turkey has assured observers that it will not allow ISIS to return 'in any shape or form', experts believe its actions could lead to a resurgence.

Among the 15,000 prisoners are thought to be 2,500 foreign fighters, largely from European countries, who could return home if freed.

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